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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
E I Talamante has commented on (151) products
Andre the Giant Closer to Heaven
by
Brandon Easton, Denis Medri
E I Talamante
, December 29, 2015
This is probably the best biography I have read in a long time. And I have to say right here, right now, that this moved me. It was written from Andre's perspective, and covered his childhood up until his death. There was quite a bit that I didn't know about Andre (I will use his 'Christian' name, familiarly, because he was a hero of mine when I was growing up. It feels almost disrespectful to call him otherwise.) and this short graphic volume filled in blanks that I never bothered thinking about as a kid, or adult. It kinda goes to show how much you take people for granted, even ones that you consider instrumental to your life. This is an excellent biography, but since it was written in an autobiographical tone it may be confusing to some readers. I think that should have been clarified early on. But still it was a style which I liked! It worked for me, and made me as a reader connect to his story. Read the full review here: ermareads.wordpress.com/ netgalley-news/ andre-the-giant-closer-to-heaven/
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Star Wars Ultimate Paintbox Book to Color
by
Bendon
E I Talamante
, December 15, 2015
Star Wars. It's everywhere. And my little girl can't get enough! This novelty book has no spoilers, so don't rush out to grab it, but it does have some good lineart for classic Star Wars ships and droids, as well as a few of the new ones. This book is my daughter's favorite right now, and will keep her occupied for quite a while as she practices manual dexterity and I write and surf the internet. Total win!
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Lorien Legacies 01 I Am Number Four
by
Pittacus Lore, Neil Kaplan
E I Talamante
, December 08, 2015
So, I watched the movie version of this this evening, and realized that I never wrote the review to this. I have been remiss. So, I downloaded this on a phone I had a while back, that wound up stolen. The book was an 'unofficial' one I had found on Google Play, and had all kinds of little errors in it. But, I had this, and as bad and cliche as it was, it was something. (I also started reading 'Game of Thrones' around this time, but that's another review entirely.) And by 'bad', I mean: At some point, I may go back and re-read this, and continue the series, but there is so much other stuff out there I like so much more, that I wouldn't wait around... (That is, unless someone wanted to send me the books, then I'm obligated by my own morals to actually read them, and thus review them, and let my opinions then be known...) Read the full review here: ermareads.wordpress.com/novel-novels-2/i-am-number-four/
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Days Gone Bye: Walking Dead 1
by
Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore
E I Talamante
, October 22, 2015
The Walking Dead. It's a thing now, and has been for the last few years, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I read the graphic novel that started it all - and reviewed it! This. Was. Incredible. This takes the beginning of the story - Rick wakes up in a hospital room, with vague memories, alone. At first glance, the hospital seems empty, but Rick finds that's not quite true. He makes it out and on toward home, in a surreal wave of post hospital haze, borderline starvation, and situational unawareness - things that spell danger for any kind of lawman, but especially for a cop. At this point, he still believes it's only temporary. Oh, Rick, if only you knew. Rick continues to put one foot in front of the other, and that's why we love him. When shit gets tough, he drives on, whether he wants to give up or not. Rick is a dedicated man, even if he is a bit delusional. (No, the Army can't fix everything...) PS - I had originally rated this 3/5 stars, but thinking back on it, it gets a 4/5. It was not enough of my thing to get a full 5, but it was good. Damn good. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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Heat Wave
by
Richard Castle
E I Talamante
, October 20, 2015
Oh, my... Hack! Absolute hack! But of the wonderful variety... I never thought that I would love hack, but this, I really like! (Okay... too many exclamation points already. But, you get the point...) But as much as I declare this hack, it's GOOD hack, as shown in the actual action scenes. This was definitely written by an awesome author, who knows how to write a gripping scene, and not just glorified fan-fiction, which is the tone this book starts out on. So if this doesn't appeal to you from the start, keep reading - it truly does get better. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Baby Donald Makes a Snowfriend Bebe Donald Hace Un Amigo de Nieve Baby Donald Makes a Snowfriend Beb Donald Hace
by
Disney
E I Talamante
, September 20, 2015
Baby Donald is learning shapes, then goes outside to play in the snow - it's the ideal preschool day! This is a good little book that is a quick read that can take five minutes, or half an hour, depending on how much of the details you want to explore in each energy packed page. And with familiar characters, kids can't resist. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Punky Brewster Volume 1
by
Joelle Sellner
E I Talamante
, September 20, 2015
I received this as a digital (Kindle) copy from NetGalley. I had requested it because I remembered watching Punky Brewster back in the day, but I couldn't remember much about it, and figured this might give my memory a boost while at the same time being a reboot of a classic. Well, I was half right. I still don't remember much from the old show (maybe if I get time I'll check YouTube), but this was a definite reboot, what with mentions of digital photography and computer files... I just wish it had been easier to read. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Cheese & Quackers
by
Diamond, Ruth Coates
E I Talamante
, September 20, 2015
This was a GoodReads First Read, and I received a copy to review. That said, this was a cute story about dealing with disabilities and keeping a positive outlook. Mari loses her leg in a terrible accident, and her family struggles with making her find herself after. A visit to a lake house soon shows Mari that she's not the only one struggling with disabilities, and that a disability does not mean that she cannot do anything, as she believes. Thanks to the support of a loving family, Mari goes on to be an inspiration for others with disabilities. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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In the Blood A Novel
by
Lisa Unger
E I Talamante
, September 18, 2015
Lana has a secret. And it's not pretty. But with her dad on death row, her mother murdered, and her best friend missing, she thinks she's safe. But is she? As the investigation into her missing friend drags on, Lana finds that she's not the only one with secrets to hide... And someone knows hers. This was a GoodReads First Read book, and I received a copy to review. I read this a few months ago, and didn't get around to writing a review. I had forgotten, what with the ever-growing stack of To-Read and To-Review, until I recommended this to someone else on GoodReads (hi, karen!), and it all came back. I mean, It. All. Came. Back. I loved this book. The reveals were perfectly timed. And (mini spoiler) there's more than one. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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Coraline
by
Neil Gaiman and P Craig Russell
E I Talamante
, September 01, 2015
I seen the 'animated' version of this, borrowed from the library at my kids' request. I was not a big fan of that version, but I rather like the Neil Gaiman books I've read in the past, so I thought I'd give a written version a go before I wrote this story off as 'eh'. While the library had all other versions checked out, this adapted one was available, so I got it. If nothing else, I told myself, I would get a kick out of the illustrations. Man, am I glad I picked this one up, and gave the story a second chance. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Max Ride First Flight
by
Marvel Comics
E I Talamante
, August 30, 2015
Max Ride details the capture of Angel, and tells a bit about the background of Max and the other children who live with her, and how they came to be there. The history is a bit disjointed, and falls in between the story itself. Also, the children's names seem to mix a bit, so I'm only sure about a few of them, but it is certain that they are all mutants, of one variety or another. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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The Hedge Knight: A Game of Thrones Prequel Graphic Novel
by
George R R Martin
E I Talamante
, July 30, 2015
I have been a little burnt out on the Game of Thrones thing for a while now, and after getting bogged down midway through the third book, A Storm of Swords (really long, overly descriptive battle scenes are just not my thing, I found), I had almost given up on the series until much later, and was going to stick with the HBO series until I could face Martin's series again. But luckily, I don't have to give up Westros entirely. This graphic rendition on the prequel story to A Song of Fire and Ice has renewed my interest and faith in the beautifully elaborate epic that has captured so man people's attentions. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Spare Parts
by
Joshua Davis
E I Talamante
, June 20, 2015
The high school boys from Arizona that were involved with the building of 'Stinky' - the ROV that took the to the Underwater Robotics Championships in California in 2004 traveled far to get where they are today. And it was a dangerous journey, every step of the way. Continually at risk of being deported (they were all originally from Mexico), and at odds with each other, this is a story of overcoming adversity and what it means to be American. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Tale Of Benjamin Bunny
by
Beatrix Potter
E I Talamante
, June 18, 2015
This is a reduced, shortened tale, from the original Beatrix Potter stories, in a sturdy board book, cleverly shaped around Benjamin wearing a hat and standing in Farmer McGregor's garden. This is the best part of this version of the book. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Good Night Gorilla
by
Peggy Rathmann
E I Talamante
, June 18, 2015
A cute picture book with limited words featuring a variety of animals and a tired zookeeper named Joe. This is the board-book version, and perfect for a bedtime story for little ones before or after a trip to the zoo (or both!). The look on the zookeeper's wife's face is priceless, and the story leaves alot to be imagined and told, retold, and shared, even by the youngest talkers. You can't tell it wrong! Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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Bella Sara 01 Bellas Gift
by
Felicity Brown, Heather Theurer
E I Talamante
, June 18, 2015
After reading the second book in the series, I thought I knew what to expect from these books. Hoo-boy. Was I wrong. While the Second book was good, this one was imaginative to the point of me continuing to read, even after the little would fall asleep on naps. High fantasy and legends combine to create an exciting tale of adventure, treachery, and danger. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Bad Kitty School Daze
by
Nick Bruel
E I Talamante
, June 18, 2015
Bad Kitty follows Kitty - to School! It's only a day school, but with an evil-sounding teacher, a dog who hates cats, and Kitty's nemesis (or bane) Puppy along for the ride, it's off to be a bad day! Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Fushigi Yugi, Volume 1: Priestess
by
Yu Watase
E I Talamante
, June 18, 2015
The first in a series, and part of my continuing journey to read what my kids are. I have to say, I actually liked this one. Maybe because I started at the beginning, unlike some of the manga I've read, or because the author is young and not inundated with the stereo-types of manga (or rather, those that I associate with manga), or maybe it's the atypical heroine who is not sure she wants to be the center of this story. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Frankenstein
by
Mary Wollst Shelley
E I Talamante
, June 14, 2015
A classic tale of creation, life, death, and morality - just because you can do it, should you? This should be required reading for all scientists, especially ones that deal closely with highly sensitive subjects, such as cloning, stem cells, and research. I remember being intimidated by this book when I was much younger (in my early teens). But the theme and fact that this was written by a woman so scientifically, so distinctly, makes me keep coming back. I have read this book a number of times since then, and every time I find something new and intriguing, wanting to make me come back and read it again. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Bats at the Beach
by
Brian Lies
E I Talamante
, June 14, 2015
It's a perfect night out - a perfect night for a trip to the beach. The bats grab their blankets and things, and who could tell that they are not people as they play in the sand and water? By their bedtime, of course! Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Magic Study Study 02
by
Maria V Snyder
E I Talamante
, June 04, 2015
Yelena is at it again, this time in Sitia, a place where she can practice her magic in safety - or can she? It seems that wherever she goes, Yelena is smack in the middle of trouble - and trouble likes to find her. Warning - This book has strong rape themes and triggers, and may not for all readers. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Lightning Lord and the Duplex of Death!
by
Shenoa Carroll-Bradd
E I Talamante
, June 04, 2015
E I Talamante, June 2, 2015 A lively, rollicking romp around an alternate Victorian London, filled with steam, surprises, and sudden bouts of lightning fill this book with head-shaking, laugh-inducing semi-drama that begs to be read in one sitting and cries out for a sequel! (Please, please, please write a sequel!!! And can I be a character, too?) I received this book, not in exchange for an honest review (but you'll get it anyway), but as a reward for being a Kickstarter Backer. I love weird, and Baby, this fits the bill! Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Nonprofit
by
Matt Burriesci
E I Talamante
, June 02, 2015
This book took me a long time to get into, and is an example of why the elusive 2nd person narrative is so rarely used. You are a middle-aged man, coming on-board to a new job as Director of a prestigious non-profit organization. You have issues. Your issues have issues. When I realized this, suddenly, I bonded with the character of John MacManus, and I was hooked. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book
by
Eric Carle
E I Talamante
, June 02, 2015
A classic in board-book format for little hands to explore. A real classic in children's literature, by a legend. This book has been around since I read it to my younger brothers as a child, and now I enjoy sharing it with my own children. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
by
Jeanette Winter
E I Talamante
, June 02, 2015
Re-read on 28 May 2015. A re-imagining of a classic for little hands. Each page shares a portion of the old familiar song, illustrated with a progressing story. Great for beginning readers. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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Warriors Ravenpaws Path 03 The Heart of a Warrior
by
Erin Hunter, James Barry
E I Talamante
, June 01, 2015
I am fairly new to the Warriors series, though my son is not. As part of my continual effort to keep up with my kids' interests, I decided to read one of my son's library books before I returned it. This is part of the Manga series, so it was a fairly quick read. It is the final chapter of this set, and although I didn't have any reference for what had happened before, the story kept moving forward, making minimal, passing references to events that had happened previously. I liked this, as I found I wasn't lost, nor bogged down in backstory. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi 02 Prisoner of Bogan
by
John Ostrander
E I Talamante
, June 01, 2015
In this, the second volume of the Dawn of the Jedi saga, we see (and learn) more about the force sabers that become the familiar lightsaber, see strained relationships crack and galvanize - each according to their own situation, and learn more about the Sith. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Wolverine By Claremont & Miller
by
Christopher Claremont
E I Talamante
, June 01, 2015
Wolverine has always been a bit of a tortured soul. I guess that's part of what makes him so popular. And, with all of the experiments, memory implants, historical references, and questionable back-story (even with Origins now firmly in place), he still is one of the most colorful yet mystery-shrouded characters of the Multi-verse. And this collaborated story just enhances that image. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Pig Wig Flip A Word
by
Harriet Ziefert
E I Talamante
, June 01, 2015
What do a Pig and a Wig have in common? Their end sounds, of course! And you know what that means? Time for another Flip-a-Word book! Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Justice League of America Volume 2
by
Matt Kindt, Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy
E I Talamante
, May 23, 2015
So, I thought this would pick up where Volume 1 left off. Yeah, okay. Ridiculous, right? To think that part 2 would directly follow part 1? Apparently. Survivors of Evil opens with Martian Manhunter and Stargirl - two heroes that were *not* in the first. It was at this point that I realized that I forgot a lesson from my childhood - a lesson my father, an avid comics collector, taught me - that just because a comic has a similar title, and the same heroes, doesn't mean that it's on the same timeline, or even storyline. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Frogs & Friends
by
Joanne Barkan, Claudine Gevry
E I Talamante
, May 12, 2015
This is a cute little interactive board book about frogs, seasons, and the pond they live in. My youngest was charmed by the frogs embedded in the book, and enjoyed making them click. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Pottytime for Chickies
by
Janee Trasler
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
When little chickies learn how to potty, you can guarantee there will be some mistakes, but with a hug and a kiss, they figure things out. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Long Road Home One Step At Doonesbury
by
G B Trudeau
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
If you've ever read the Sunday comics in the paper, you are likely to have seen Doonesbury. If you are like me, then you probably skipped over it, or saved it until after you've read the good ones. Doonesbury tended to be political satire, a genre that has a hard time competing for kids' attentions against the likes of Garfield and The Wizard of Id. But this mini-novel in comic form takes on an even more serious topic of wounded veterans. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com/
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Babys First Touchy Feely Animals
by
Stella Baggott
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
Despite the title's more than slightly creepy name, this is a cute board book meant to be loved and read with your child. The animals featured here have definite appeal to little ones - animals that they likely see on a regular basis, or hear about often enough to be able to associate them with their image, color, feel, and cetera. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Justice League Volume 1 Origin The New 52
by
Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Scott Williams
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
Part of DC Comics' reboot series, The New 52, the new Justice League is a combination between classic heroes and new origins. It has raised quite a bit of acclaim and criticism, and this is one reason why. A rash of alien sightings has heroes from all corners coming together, bumping into each other as tempers (and egos) flare, cities are destroyed, people die, and mass confusion reigns. Typical day in the life of a superhero. But they're not all super, are they? Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Entwined [With Earbuds]
by
Heather Dixon
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
It didn't take me long to find the core of this story, but the artful way it was written and told left me wondering how much I really knew about the story... I felt that this story was not my style as I began listening, the Introduction describing an intricate dance step that I didn't really understand or follow very well. But that soon changed. The story itself was written much like the dances described, beautiful, ethereal, delicate, and a little mysterious. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Dorothy Must Die 01
by
Danielle Paige
E I Talamante
, May 11, 2015
This is a review of the pre-publication excerpt only. I will update this after I have read the complete book. There's a new girl in Oz, and she's got pink hair. And a rat. And she's from Kansas. But Oz just ain't the same as the one you seen in the movies - Baum had it right, and Amy just found herself on a massive learning curve when she winds up in the dark, twisted mess that was once the sparkling, Technicolor dream that many of us grew up with. So what happened? Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Moral Molecule The Source of Love & Prosperity
by
Paul J Zak
E I Talamante
, April 29, 2015
What is the Moral Molecule? Is there a Moral Molecule? And if so, how do you test for it? In a unique dialogue, Zak studies and shares his research, spanning everything from a wedding, sex, business, and death - veritably the spectrum of human life! Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Guess How Much I Love You
by
Sam McBratney
E I Talamante
, April 28, 2015
A classic book about two Nutbrown Hares and a day filled with love. This is a favorite of my daughter's and her daddy. And I can see why it is a favorite for many families! Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Dominican Republic A True Book
by
Childrens, El Landau
E I Talamante
, April 28, 2015
This was an informative book about the Dominican Republic, written for kids. Unfortunately, the format was a bit of a cross between aimed at a younger audience and aimed at an older audience without transitional material or differentiation. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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My Pet Giraffe
by
Mark Iacolina
E I Talamante
, April 28, 2015
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a giraffe as a pet? Well, wonder no more and read this book, and see exactly what happens when you have a giraffe as man's best friend. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Quack Shack
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 28, 2015
Another great pre-reading book featuring the word families of '-ack', '-ick', and '-ock'. The cut-outs make these books fun, and the cute illustrations portray the funny rhymes featured on each page. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Confessions of an English Opium Eater
by
Thomas de Quincey
E I Talamante
, April 28, 2015
This book came at high praise for the eloquence and depth given by Mr. De Quincey. That he gave voice to his experiences in colorful and elegant prose that lingers in the mind like smoke in a room.The reality, however, was a bit different than described. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Testing 01
by
Joelle Charbonneau
E I Talamante
, April 27, 2015
This was an interesting, engaging, dystopian story in the vein of Divergent and Hunger Games. In fact, more than once, I was reminded of those two stories, but there is more than enough unique material in this story to give it creds of its own. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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In A Pickle
by
Richard Scarry, Natalie Shaw
E I Talamante
, April 23, 2015
A short story that is a small surprise for being a kids meal toss in. Usually the toys and even edu-toys are little more than temporary distractions. This little book was actually good enough that I would be willing to read it more than once, and include it with the other books on my youngest daughter's shelf. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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My First Treasury Bedtime Hugs
by
Publications International
E I Talamante
, April 23, 2015
A sweet collection of simple tales shortened for bedtime. Includes 'The Ugly Duckling', 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears', 'The Princess and the Pea', and 'The Velveteen Rabbit'. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Wet Pet
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 14, 2015
Includes the word families '-et', '-ed', and '-am'. Our last book from the Flip-a-Word series from our local library, and I am both relieved and sad to see it so. Why? Well, gentle reader, let me tell you. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Good Night Gorilla Oversized
by
Peggy Rathmann
E I Talamante
, April 09, 2015
A cute picture book with limited words featuring a variety of animals and a tired zookeeper named Joe. This is the board-book version, and perfect for a bedtime story for little ones before or after a trip to the zoo (or both!). The look on the zookeeper's wife's face is priceless, and the story leaves alot to be imagined and told, retold, and shared, even by the youngest talkers. You can't tell it wrong! Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Queens Vow A Novel of Isabella of Castile
by
C W Gortner, CW Gortner
E I Talamante
, April 07, 2015
This was an amazing book, which moved forward quickly, without being bogged down as some historical novels I have read were. The second book about the monarchs of Castile, this book details the life of Isabella of Castile, mother to the imprudent Juana (of The Last Queen). Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Stop Pop
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 06, 2015
A rhyming book focusing on '-op' words, '-un' words, and '-an' words. This is another great reader for pre- to beginning readers from a fun series of books. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Crab Cab
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 03, 2015
A great rhyming book about sounds and word families, featuring the 'ot' family, the 'ab' family, and the 'it' family. The simple words, humorous pictures, and nifty cut-outs make this a great pre-reading to beginning reader tool. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book
by
Dr. Seuss
E I Talamante
, April 02, 2015
A great little board book version of the original, shrunk down for little hands and little attentions, and perfect for a before naptime story. You can even let the little one take this book to bed with them, and know that its sturdy construction will be safe. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Snow Bow
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 02, 2015
Another cute rhyming book for little hands and early readers, featuring words from the 'eet' family, the 'ate' family, and the 'ow' family. My daughter can recognize a few... Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Snake Cake Flip A Word
by
Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, April 02, 2015
Another cute rhyming book for little hands and early readers, featuring words from the 'ake' family, the 'oat' family, and the 'ant' family. My daughter really likes these, and will point to the word, repeating the word. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Cars Doc Hudson
by
Disney
E I Talamante
, March 29, 2015
A short tie-in story to the Disney/Pixar movie, Cars featuring the old racecar, Doc Hudson. Doc is a cranky old codger, but he has a trick or two up his fender. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Island of the Blue Dolphins
by
Scott O'Dell
E I Talamante
, March 28, 2015
A classic, revisited. A story of love, friendship, loss, and coming of age on the Island, as told by The Girl With The Long Black Hair. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Loan Some: A Novella
by
Megan McLachlan
E I Talamante
, March 28, 2015
A quick tale of adventure and accidental encounters abound when librarian Vera needs to find a new job. Enter: Loan Some, a business like no other, who's sole purpose is to make it's clients appear popular. Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Get Up & Go Little Dinosaur
by
Norman Gorbaty
E I Talamante
, March 27, 2015
A little dinosaur book for little hands and pre-readers, this book features actions to encourage little ones to get active, and get up and go! Read full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Cars Sally
by
Disney
E I Talamante
, March 27, 2015
The story of Sally, the out-spoken little Porsche from Disney and Pixar's Cars, as told by Sally herself. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Love Undone An Amish Novel of Shattered Dreams & Gods Unfailing Grace
by
Cindy Woodsmall
E I Talamante
, March 27, 2015
I really didn't think I'd like this book. Really. I grew up around the Amish, and have a vast respect for the culture. The first chapter really turned me off of it. But I kept reading, and was really glad I did. Read the full review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Bottlenose Dolphin (Welcome Books: Animals of the World)
by
Edana Eckart
E I Talamante
, March 27, 2015
An informative photo book about dolphins and their environment. My two year old loved reading this book with me and pointed to the matching pictures on the facing pages as we read. Read the complete review here: www.ermareads.wordpress.com
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Mindful Discipline
by
Shauna Shapiro, Chris White, Christine Carter
E I Talamante
, March 27, 2015
A good book for any parent to read, to remind us of *why* we do what we do, and how to avoid trying to be a 'perfect' parent while still being mindful of *how* we parent. Read the complete review here: ermareads.wordpress.com
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Flip a Word Frog Jog
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, March 19, 2015
Another great Flip-a-word book, perfect for beginning readers, and my beginning reader. The rhyming words combine with funny pictures that convey the meaning of the words, helping describe the word mentally to young children so that they can understand and match the word with it's image. Features words from the OG family, ALL family, and EAT family.
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George Shrinks
by
William Joyce and JOYCE JOYCE
E I Talamante
, March 18, 2015
When George wakes up, he finds a note from his parents, and a 'little' surprise! He goes through his chores and gets everything done, but it seems that they are 'huge' tasks for such a small boy! George Shrinks is an imaginative romp, narrated by the letter left for George. Each task is richly illustrated, with a twist of course. My two-year-old enjoyed pointing out George's adventures and re-read the book to herself and her ponies afterwards, telling the story through the things George uses to accomplish each chore, trying to recreate the story as I did. So cute! I great story for read-together time, and the happy reunion is one that can be shared with little ones.
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The Ruins of Gorlan
by
John A Flanagan
E I Talamante
, March 17, 2015
A young boy with a mysterious past, Will finds himself rejected as an apprentice in Castle Redmont, the only place that he has ever known. But when a mysterious figure offers him an apprenticeship, he finds that everyone has ulterior motives. Will is a believable boy who grows in spurts and leaps, but makes mistakes that he must recompense for. His friendships seem a bit forced, but sometimes that's the way life is. And his frustrations are real. This book was surprising with it's twists, and the fact that Will's behaviour was predictable at times led to his believability. He made obvious childish choices, and Halt let him know when it could be him or his life. His harsh training, though, proves more than useful when he saves the lives of his friends. I seen many similarities between this book and The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's beloved epic. The evil one, Morgarath in the North, the Rangers, the dead city, and mystic creatures... But at the same time, this story is unique and artfully woven in a way also reminiscent of Tolkien. (And I have read that both stories originated as bedtime stories for their children.) Either way, this was a very good first novel, well developed and likeable. My only complaints are the ease of Will reconciliation with his childhood rival, and the distinct similarities to LotR. But I have already reserved the next book in the series, ready to find out more about Will and the Rangers.
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Magic Burns Kate Daniels 02
by
Ilona Andrews
E I Talamante
, March 15, 2015
You know that feeling you get when you finish a really good ending to a good book? Yeah, that's how I felt after finishing this one. Kate is a no-nonsense type of gal, but she has a habit of getting herself into situations where nonsense is endemic. This time, it involves the pack, a little street girl named Julie, and an ancient Celtic Goddess and her undead enemies. Oh, and a little thing called love. Seems that Kate, suffering from not enough attention in the previous installment, is getting admirers in spades, one of them being an archer that has a bad habit of popping up whenever he wants and disappearing as just as quickly. The other, the Beast Lord himself, even though Kate is trying to arrange his girlfriend's marriage to her former suitor... and then there's Julie... Between ancient giants, words of power, undead mermaids, a Goddess' son, a missing coven of witches, a Hound, and Curran, Kate keeps finding herself in precarious situations without a moment to breathe. And when she loses someone she cares about, she finds herself trying to do the one thing magic ain't supposed to do... I love Kate. She is so real and sassy, and thinks so much like me, it's scary some times. Curran is a classic Alpha Male, and I can see how he frustrates Kate just by breathing. The fact that she understands and respects him speaks loads about Kate's depth. Kate tries to be a loner, and portray herself as one, but this story shows just how much she craves attachment, and just how many friends she really has. This book is really a hook-line-and-sinker into magic filled Atlanta. Only the second book in this series, I am ready to throw caution to the wind and say that if all the books are as good as the first two, I will be moving soon. ;)
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Splat and Seymour, Best Friends Forevermore
by
Rob Scotton
E I Talamante
, March 15, 2015
Splat and Seymour are friends. Best friends. But when Splat tries to surprise his friend to show him just how much he cares, Splat accidentally makes his friend believe that they are not friends anymore. A special story about valuing your friends, and it's really the little things that count, not just the big stuff.
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Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi Volume 1 Force Storm
by
John Ostrander, Jan Duursema, Dan Parsons
E I Talamante
, March 13, 2015
The origins of the Force, and the modern Jedi are revealed here, although in a convoluted way. The story goes from an historical account, to a Master and his apprentices, then jumps across the galaxy to Tatooine, a familiar planet, although lush with life. Here, on a familiar-named planet, we encounter another race, enslaving the planet through the assistance of a hooded creature referred to as a "Force Hound". As the story bounces back and forth a bit, we get a glimpse of the possible origins of the Empire (and the Dark Side) we know so well. When the Hound arrives at the homeplanet of the je'daii, Tython, three young je'daii from strikingly different backgrounds join to bring the Hound down before his darkness destroys the delicate balance of Tython. A very different look at the mysterious side of a familiar story, themes arise that will be seen again and again throughout the story. But Xesh's banishment can only have disastrous results, as the young je'daii, Tasha senses. As mentioned before, the story jumps back and forth a bit much between story lines, and there is no origin of the Empire offered of suggested beyond being behind the Force Hounds. It may be shown in later stories in this collection, but left me guessing, and I kept having to flip back to previous scenes. They were beautifully rendered, but the story in some places actually detracted from the art, as I merely tried to keep up. Good for fans of everything Star Wars, or those who have a complete knowledge of the mythos, but lightly suggested for anyone else.
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Cliffs Notes Frankenstein
by
Mary Shelley, Samuel Umland
E I Talamante
, March 11, 2015
I have never read a Cliff's Notes book cover to cover - until now. I have always been aware of the stigma of reading one of these, and was teased a number of times while carrying this copy in public, but I felt secure enough in that I had read the book before, and shared this with the people who poked at me, only to find (with more than a little surprise) that those who were picking on me - multiple people on multiple occasions - had never actually read the book Frankenstein. I chose to read this copy of Cliff's Notes because I was trying to take a Book Club class on edX. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the class due to too much other stuff going on. That is okay, and I chose to re-read the books anyways. I have read a number of versions and editions of Frankenstein over the years, and it is still a haunting tale, as was intended, but I was curious to see what perspective this summary would take. The summary portion of the book is arranged into each chapter, a short summary of the chapter, then a rehash, adding a little outside perspective. Just about what you would expect to see as a grade-schooler's book report. I would have given the book three stars if this was it. Useful for a refresher, but not much else. The real value of this book (easily upping it a full star) is the additional reference material. My favorite was the suggestions for practice projects, upping the book to the modern century by suggesting o make websites for the book. This is a project, if I had more time, I would attempt (maybe sometime in the future?). The Essays provide a starting point for writing one (or for the novice plagiarist, as I have seen in past classes, one ready-written) and the Reviews offer further insight and thought-provoking essay suggestions and questions. As mentioned above, I had never read a Cliff's book, and was curious. Having satisfied that curiosity, I feel that the book provides added value for those who have read the book, but should not be used as a substitute or short-cut. That's what causes people to have such a disparaging image of these books, and a stigma that I'll ignore in the future.
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Captain America & Bucky The Life Story of Bucky Barnes
by
Ed Brubaker, Marc Andreyko, Chris Samnee
E I Talamante
, March 10, 2015
A depressing, revealing, action packed origin story of Bucky Barnes, known for being the kid sidekick of Captain America. Turns out (according to this, anyway), the kid was less kid and more ward of the Army. He is trained, groomed, and recruited as a special soldier, and in this version, more bad-ass than Cap himself - Bucky didn't need Super Soldier Serum - he just needed a reason. I haven't gotten chance to see the new movie Winter Soldier as of yet, so the last bit of this was a kind of a spoiler, but one I had kinda been expecting, anyway. I guess Bucky is no longer the only comics character to have stayed dead...
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Splat the Cat Makes Dad Glad
by
Rob Scotton
E I Talamante
, March 10, 2015
Splat tries to cheer his dad up after his dad's favorite team suffers a big loss... and suffers a few of his own. But his dad appreciates the effort, as any good dad will, smiling and laughing at each of his son's mishaps, and helping him on to the next event. When they finally wash up, Splat apologizes, and is surprised by his dad's response. A great book for daddies and their little ones, to remind both of them that the best thing they could have is each other.
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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by
Bill Martin Jr., Eric Carle
E I Talamante
, March 10, 2015
An easy to hold, easy to read favorite for little hands. My daughter loved pointing out the animals and I enjoyed working on her colors with her in an easy format. It's no wonder this book is highly recommended. Simple, repeating rhymes, colorful animals, and easy to turn pages almost ask to be read, without little help. This is a book to return to, from early days to preschool, to learning to read, and on to the next generation. It is familiar enough that it could be memorized for long car trips, yet engaging enough to be a standard on the nightside table.
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Potty Book For Girls
by
Alyssa Sa Capucilli
E I Talamante
, March 10, 2015
Since we are currently working on Potty Training, this book couldn't be more timely... The baby selected this book at the book store, and it has been added to her bathroom stack already. The illustrations of Hannah's accidents are so similar to our little girl's, that we couldn't help but laugh. The simple rhyming story catches her attention, and will hopefully encourage our little one to use the potty, just like Hannah. Update: 10 March 2015 My two-year-old found this in her toys, and pulled it out, insisting on a multiple reading of this story. Since potty training is almost complete, it is getting close to time to start getting rid of the potty books, but my little one seemed more interested in identifying the affectionate Teddy that accompanies Hannah throughout her day than the potty theme. The simple rhymes were still attention grabbing for her. This is a book that stands the test of time.
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Archaeology for Kids: Uncovering the Mysteries of Our Past, 25 Activities Volume 13
by
Richard Panchyk
E I Talamante
, March 10, 2015
I am very fond of archaeology. I have very deep feelings for the Science and method. So I was pleasantly pleased when my two-year-old pulled this from the non-fiction shelves at the library and insisted on checking it out. The book is stock full of information and games to teach more about history and how archaeology fits into discovering our past. The book is organized into seven neat chapters, starting with an introduction to archaeology, and progressing through time and different aspects and processes used. This is a good book for the curious child, the Indiana Jones fan, or those wanting to get a better idea of what takes place behind the scenes of a dig. It also has the different jobs that archaeologists perform offered in each chapter, ideal for those looking to start a career in archaeology. The activities spread throughout were a nice supplement to the text, which admittedly can be dry at times, but would be great as a supplemented section at the back, or offered also in an appendix. I think we will be trying the Time Capsule activity this weekend. It will be fun to see what everyone chooses for their contribution to the capsule!
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The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty: Sleeping Beauty 1
by
Anne Rice
E I Talamante
, March 09, 2015
I genuinely debated doing a review for this book. I wasn't sure at first what to write, and it is so far outside my usual reads. But, I reminded myself, it's just a book. No one cares. I was freshly married when I first read this. 19 and borrowing every single book I could from the neighbours, no matter the content. I had to read. Pregnant and out of work for the first time, I re-read everything of mine, but didn't have a disposable income to spend on books. And public library? Hah!, I say. There was none where we lived. (Still isn't.) I read the first two books in this trilogy, then was found out by my husband. It's not that he didn't approve of the style of books, it was that they were books. I returned them, and didn't read when he was home for a long time. It took me a while to get comfortable reading around other people again. Fast forward to now. I came across a book recommendations list for Valentine's and this was on it. My first thought was, I remember that book, which induced blushes. My second thought was, I never finished the series, which induced an OCD form of anxiety. My third was, I wonder if my local library has it, which induced opening a new tab to check. I didn't think they would, but sure enough I reserved a copy. Enough background. Anne Rice is an accomplished author, without doubt. She also has a way of weaving a story that you are chapters into before you know it. Beauty is no exception. A quick moving tale beginning with the Awakening of Sleeping Beauty (simply named Beauty), you get the impression that Sleeping Beauty is not the only fairy tale here. She is awoken by a Beastly, if handsome, Prince. The Prince begins his reign of Beauty by stripping her with his sword, then doing the deed. This is the last that Beauty wears clothes, because the Prince forces her to remain naked with him, even as her Father enters the room. The Prince stakes his claim, then sweeps Beauty through the countryside and to a seemingly enchanted castle where her 'training' begins. Beauty finds that she is not the only princess to be treated in this way, and soon creates a bond with the Queen's favorite 'slave', Prince Alexi. Beauty's treatment is described in lurid detail, and the story of the characters that Beauty encounters increases her distress until she acts out against her own good sense, rebelling against the rigid rules of the castle. Her disobedience ends the first part of the story, with her being shipped off to be auctioned off for the summer. This is a very adult book, and the descriptions are often blunt, leaving much to the imagination, but little in the way of creative interpretation. The way that Ms. Rice uses imagery allows the reader to feel sympathetic toward Beauty's situation, one that she does not pick for herself, but rather is thrust into.
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Frankenstein Graphic Novel
by
Mary Shelley
E I Talamante
, March 08, 2015
A horrifying tale brought to visual clarity, this retelling stays fairly true to the original story with little variation, although it is in a briefer form. Irving's portrayal of the monster's desiccated flesh and pitiable attitude convey the story swiftly to the reader. This is a good edition as a quick re-reading of the tale, the black and white illustrations increasing the gothic feel of the story. I would not, however, recommend this as an initial introduction to M. Shelley, since there are many deeper story themes that may be lost by a reader with only a perfunctory knowledge of the story.
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Frankenstein Makes A Sandwich
by
Adam Rex
E I Talamante
, March 08, 2015
A humorous look at monsters galore, with a little something for everyone, written in verse. I read the second book first, Frankenstein Takes the Cake, and upon finding out there was another, opted to read this one as well. With hidden gems, lines and prose tucked into virtually every corner, including the Library of Congress information page (The Invisible Man's snow-angel), this book is a treasure trove just waiting to be explored, poked, and laughed at. Some of the jokes are definitely aimed at an older crowd, but that just enforces the fact that this book is for all ages - ideally to be read aloud as a family. I can only hope that Mr. Rex will continue to delight us with further displays of monster atrocities in verse. This was beautiful (and beautifully illustrated throughout).
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Bella Sara 02 Valkrists Flight
by
Felicity Brown
E I Talamante
, March 07, 2015
Just finished my first Bella Sara book, and I was impressed! I got my oldest daughter into Bella Sara many years ago, buying her the stuffed horses, the cards, a nightgown... you name it. How surprised was I to find that it is also a book series? I found three of the books at my local used book store, and picked them up, not even checking the price for my youngest, a horse-crazy toddler (must run in the family)! The story opens kind of sad, with Emma remembering the family she lost in a car accident. But a new friend and a new foal keep her occupied, even if her aunt, uncle, and cousin are harsh and unloving. When an accident sets the barn on fire, and Emma looses everything she could still call hers, a strange visit teaches her to follow her heart and become one with her lost heritage. A sweet story of finding who you are, and trusting in the goodness of others. The magical ending was charming and leads to a curiosity to explore Bella Sara's world further with a free download code at the end of the book. My youngest may be a little young for this, but with some help for her sister, this could be a fun inter-generational activity.
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Flip a Word Ice Mice
by
Harriet Ziefert, Yukiko Kido
E I Talamante
, March 07, 2015
A cute beginning reader book that focuses on rhyming words and word families. My two-year-old quickly got the hang of it and started pointing out the pictures of the rhyming words, repeating them and the rhyming words. I have already put the other books in this series on hold at my local library, and think that this is a fun way to ease children into reading.
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A is for Arnyx: An Alphabet in Verse
by
Guy Conner
E I Talamante
, March 04, 2015
A cute book of rhymes in verse with colorful characters (that can be colored!) worthy of Seuss. This was a GoodReads First Reads book, sent by the author. I came home to it after my trip, and read it to my daughter that peered curiously at the various creatures mentioned. The explanations at the end held my attention better than my daughter's, but for a first reading, I didn't want to miss anything. I'm glad I didn't, too! Some of the stories are as creative as the creatures themselves! The verses vary in length and form, but each holds a rhyme. It's hard to pick a favorite, but if pressed, I'd have to go with the Umpdyump. Each rhyme has it's own voice, so the book does not get tedious. And as mentioned before, this would sit nicely next to Dr. Seuss. A great book for the young and those that simply think young!
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Splat the Cat: Blow, Snow, Blow
by
Rob Scotton
E I Talamante
, March 04, 2015
Splat and his friend Seymour are anxious for the snow to come, and when it doesn't come soon enough, Splat takes matters into his own paws. A cute story about waiting for something to happen, but as the old song says, "The waiting's the hardest part." This is true for any child, and Splat is no exception. The simple rhyming words in a conversational tone are a little awkward to read, but great to teach sound recognition, and while the lines are not lyrical or in verse form, this brought my little one to attention, and she was softly repeating the recurring words by the time I was done. Not one of my favorites, but a great book, none-the-less.
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Monkeyluv & Other Essays on Our Lives as Animals
by
Robert M Sapolsky
E I Talamante
, March 03, 2015
I love reading science essays. No really, I do! And I really enjoy when the essay is written well. A little humor on the subject goes a long way here, too. Sapolsky knows his topics. As he states in his footnotes to "Bugs in the Brain", he will "get crazed about some topic, read endlessly on it," and "eventually write something, getting it out of my system, thereby freeing me to fixate on a next topic." He does his research. And how! Each essay is a mini-study on a different topic, although some do play off of others, each with footnotes for further reading. There is one that is mentioned frequently that I am curious to read, by the same author (Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers), but unfortunately my library only carries it in e-book form. From primates that display a range of human-like emotion and societal behaviour, to the science of mothers who don't; from parasites to PTSD. The science of life is truly amazing and deep, yet Sapolsky manages to keep his writing quick and witty, leaving the reader to laugh frequently while absorbing the depths of life. Never once did I feel like the essays were speaking down to me, from some scientific tower. I have encountered scientific journals that will write in this manner, and I loose interest quickly - not for not understanding the material, but rather from the tone. That was not an issue here, and was full of well-explained stories of life, and what makes it so unlikely!
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The Thickety: A Path Begins
by
White, J. a.
E I Talamante
, February 26, 2015
This book was amazing! A story that wound itself carefully, and left haunting images in a world blindly trying to ignore the magic that surrounded it. Kara is her mother's daughter, and is trying to understand that after her mother is brutally judged and killed as a witch. But Kara is full of unanswered questions that she just don't have time for. Until one day that a strange crow-like creature leads her into the Thickety. From there, her life changes forever... White weaves a tale both beautiful and strange, leaving the reader hungrily devouring every word. I found a few mistakes in the book (calling Shadowdancer 'him' at one point) and the final battle with Grace left me a little confused about who cast what, but I loved this book, and closed the last page wondering, "So when's the movie coming out? That is going to be awesome!" Yes, The Thickety is awesome, and sets up for an epic adventure of classic proportions. I started it thinking that it was going to be a kid story, great for a naptime read for my two-year-old, but found that it is so much more. Beasts of unknown origin? Check. Magic and those who fear it? Check. Spells, grimoires, and witches? Check, check, check. And a mysterious forest that poisons others while opening to only one girl? Absolutely check. Since there are things that are only mentioned, and not resolved, I am looking forward to finding out more about them in the next book. But until then, this book is amazing! And deserves to be read. Heck, it begs to be read... Listen...
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Undone
by
Shannon Richard
E I Talamante
, February 22, 2015
I did not like this. The title was recommended by someone I know, but when I picked it up at the library, I could tell right away from the cover that this was one of those seedy romance books. I despaired, but I decided to give it a shot, and not 'read a book by it's cover'. Hoo-boy. So, this nice enough girl, Paige, hits a streak of bad luck. Almost everyone's been there, so I felt empathetic toward her right away. She loses almost everything in her life, and goes to her parents' new house in Florida to recoup, and runs into more bad luck. The day she gets a flat that she can't fix on her own,and can't pay for, the trouble gets worse, and the seedy romance begins. 'Here we go', I thought, but pushed on. So Paige meets this boy, Brendan, the local mechanic and a bit of a self-made man. Okay. Who also happens to be a pushy, controlling, possessive-aggressive man. Damn girl, didn't you have enough trouble to begin with? And that's not all. So Mr. Mechanic (who her friend refers to as the hot mechanic) gets the girl he likes a job. Working at a funeral home. Paige is an artist, so she copes and does what she does best - piss off people, create art, and be eye-candy to small town boys. There's this issue, too, with a guy named Chad who gropes and sexually molests Paige. He gets off without much skin off his back. Even though it happens multiple times and Brendan's response to Paige when she tells him about it is to start yelling and screaming at her. Holy crap. The girl just had a traumatic experience, and now, for his own pride, Mr. Mechanic makes it worse? No wonder girls have a hard time understanding what normal looks like. So, after that mess, Paige has to deal with losing her own father - which Mr. Mechanic handles by getting drunk with his buddy, getting in a fight and arrested, and showing up in the nick of time (happens alot around here) to save his sister and her, finding out she's knocked up, and constantly being defamed by the local gossip, she's off to the start of a happy marriage! Even if it screams dysfunctional from all angles. Oh, well. There are two more books already in this series (and a fourth hinted at) for those liking this sort of thing, but I couldn't get over the entire strips of repeated lines, how the story would get going nicely, then jump ahead to something else or change POV. I can't stress how annoying repeating oneself in a story is. "He buried his nose in his hair and breathed deep." How many times did he do that, or to some variation - throat, neck, etc. Countless. And that was one of the least offensive. My verdict? Pull the seedy romance scenes and flesh out the actual story, and you'd have a pretty good drama story. Still not too much my thing, but better than "She hummed against his throat." What does that even imply? Not a fast read, it took me a while to finish this. The best part was the saddest part, involving Trevor (don't worry, no spoilers). That was a real story, and tempts me to give this two stars, but the bad stuff hold it back to one. Sorry folks.
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Great Divorce
by
C S Lewis
E I Talamante
, February 21, 2015
This has long been a favorite of mine, and a perfect read for February's book choice for my Book Club. The unnamed protagonist takes a bus ride up from Hell and encounters many guides along the way as he learns of true Love and what it really is to feel that Love. For many, the act of letting their own perceptions go is too much to bear, but for a lucky few, Heaven isn't too far away, as the song once stated. A allegorical piece, written in a kind of reply to Blake's Marriage Between Heaven and Hell, Lewis makes fine use of simple words and sensations, weaving a very real place that makes you want to believe that it's not all just a dream. I have recommended this book to many people over the years, and read it many times, and I always find something new to take away from it. A short read, but with powerful intent, Lewis plies his trade very well, and reminds me why I return to his writing over and over as an example.
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Bunny the Brave War Horse Based on a True Story
by
Elizabeth Macleod, Marie LaFrance
E I Talamante
, February 18, 2015
I really loved this book. It is a war biography - about a horse and his Canadian rider. There are not many stories written about the non-human heroes of the military, and even fewer written in a way that children can understand and appreciate. This book brought tears to my eyes, and stated simply and plainly (without going too far into details) the horrors that soldiers and the animals that supported them faced. The book ends with a more detailed account of Bunny and Thomas' story for adults and older children. The illustrations really grabbed me with the cartoony realism that had been common in old war cartoons. My daughter loved that Bunny was featured on nearly every page. The story gives enough detail and dates to make this a great history or reference supplement for classrooms or homework projects. I can't love this book enough. Thank you to KIDS CAN PRESS for a First Reads review edition. This book will be cherished.
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Frankenstein Takes the Cake
by
Adam Rex
E I Talamante
, February 17, 2015
A very, very funny book of poems, rhymes, Poe, and Frankenstein! The fun starts on the inside cover, Wolfman, Drac, The Mummy and The Creature from the Black Lagoon assuming that you (the reader) are Frankie. But, the stories and poems don't stop there. This book offers a reason to the strange origin of these stories, a sampling of Haikus (with a haiku *about* haikus), Frankenstein's new in-laws, blog posts from a certain Horseman, Alien contact, and more, culminating in a wedding extraordinaire! This was funny, and the simple flowing rhyming made it easy to read aloud. The colorful artwork encouraged my daughter to stop jumping on the bed and come and take a look. And the references made me giggle as I read the short stories and ads. Frankenstein, indeed, Takes the Cake!
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Family From Guatemala
by
Julia Waterlow
E I Talamante
, February 17, 2015
This is a quick little book about a Guatemalan family and how they live. The book has an interesting blend of few words and large pictures, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. The images combine with the short blurbs of information to allow even pre-readers to understand some of the finer details of living in rural Guatemala. Reading a book like this is a good way for younger children to really appreciate how much they actually have and how children their age live in other parts of the world. A lesson that should be taught by discerning parents. This was a library find by my two-year-old, who has been working the non-fiction shelves lately. Always a unique experience to see what she finds at her level in the library!
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Splat & the Cool School Trip
by
Rob Scotton
E I Talamante
, February 17, 2015
We are currently in a "cat" phase right now... so Splat! is obviously a cat. Splat and his friend Seymour, a mouse, are excited - they are going to go to the zoo for a school field trip! But both become disappointed - Seymour, when Splat tells him he cannot go, and Splat, when his favorite animals' exhibit is closed due to a rampaging elephant (gee, who did that?). Splat had been looking forward to seeing the penguins! Now, there are no penguins. Seymour finds a way to save the day, though. My two-year-old loved pointing out and identifying the animals, and is working on simple words. This book is full of bright illustrations and sneaky little hints for older readers (like the books that Seymour starts to read, encouraging cause-and-effect thinking). A very good book, and I look forward to reading more in the series - my daughter just looks forward to more cats.
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Annie & The Wild Animals
by
Jan Brett
E I Talamante
, February 11, 2015
Annie's best friend is her cat, but when her cat starts acting strangely, then disappears into the woods completely, Annie is left alone and sad. She decides to lure herself a new animal friend by making corn cakes and leaving them near the woods. But what comes out is not what she expects. The story is sweet and simple, but the real beauty lies in the borders around the pages that hint of the upcoming pages. Tiny figures reminiscent of woodcuts adorn the border of each richly done main image, making this a book that can be read in a few minutes, or something to be admired for quite a long time. Good for those little ones who like to go back to each page, even after the story is done. I promise, with this book, you won't mind.
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Splat!: Starring the Vole Brothers
by
Schwartz, Roslyn
E I Talamante
, February 11, 2015
A funny story about two brothers, a bird, and the dreaded white stuff that falls from the sky. Not many words, more just sound effects, this book encourages telling the story and pointing out cause and effect. A slippery end to this story leaves the readers in giggles as the Vole Brothers come up with a solution to their problem.
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Berenstains B Book
by
Stan Berenstain
E I Talamante
, February 11, 2015
A classic beginning reading book, this book has words that even my pre-two-year-old could recognize and read. This book should be on every beginner reader's shelf. Simple and playful, the letter "B" abounds, teaching the sound of the letter as well as reinforcing words that begin with "B". A cute, funny story ensues with rhyming, repeating words and simple pictures that would appeal to even the youngest of readers.
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Roman Places
by
Sarah Howarth
E I Talamante
, February 11, 2015
A brief, yet detailed, look at places where the ancient Romans spent their time, and what they did in those places. I liked the frequent use of quotes that described these places in the words of people who seen them first hand. Some of the places were also described through Archaeological explanations. A good reference for young school children who are looking to learn more about how Romans lived, or doing research on a particular topic such as The Forums or Roman life. The author admits at the end that he is very partial to ancient Roman life, and that may have colored the perceptions in the book, but it is an honest statement, and lends the ability to judge the material for what it is, rather than the facts provided.
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Reckless [With Earbuds]
by
Cornelia Funke
E I Talamante
, February 09, 2015
A fairy tale of a different sort, this book seems to go too fast sometimes, but still tells a riveting story about a boy, a missing father, his little brother, and true love. So much love, but little of the romance that seems to spoil other stories. Jacob Reckless makes many mistakes and has many regrets, but his biggest mistake is when his brother follows him through a mirror in his father's study and falls under the Dark Fairy's curse. It's a race against time as Jacob and Clare, Will's sweetheart, try to find a cure and reverse the curse. Fox stays close, Clare causing her to have conflicting emotions for the man who had once saved her life. Unicorns, dwarves, dragons, fairies, witches, and familiar fairy tales combine artfully in this story of love, sacrifice, longing, and loss. There are a few unanswered questions at the end, but the answers have been hinted at enough that you can come to your own conclusions as Happily Ever After comes and we say goodbye to Will and Clare.
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Chasing Francis A Pilgrims Tale
by
Ian Morgan Cron
E I Talamante
, February 09, 2015
This was not what I was expecting, and I was pleasantly surprised. This book was suggested by Crystal at Money Saving Moms, and I figured that this was going to be an overly religious read. A pastor loses his faith and travels to Italy to visit his uncle in an attempt to rediscover it. What he finds instead is St. Francis - a man who revolted against the norm and changed the world. This was not a religious study, but rather an invitation to look inside yourself and be willing to stand up for what you believe in and be willing to make that change in the world. I found this book inspirational, without being overly religiously inspirational. Cron found that balance between telling a story with meaning, and meaning for his story to tell the reader something. Already I am building a list of people to share this book with. Again, this is not my typical type of story, but I have been finding so many books recently that are not "my type" that speak to me, so maybe I should re-evaluate what "my type" really is.
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Sir Gawain & the Green Knight Pearl Sir Orfeo
by
J R R Tolkien
E I Talamante
, February 09, 2015
I have read this book many times before, especially this translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Tolkien is an amazing author, translator, linguist, and story teller. He faithfully translates and recounts three ancient medieval stories full of symbology and meaning. The stories are wordy, but in the way that lends purpose to the telling. This was December 2014's book club selection, and worth reading more than once.
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Defy Trilogy 01 Defy
by
Sara B Larson
E I Talamante
, February 09, 2015
This book just made me say, Wow. And not even in a good way. There's a good story here hidden within something that made me think I was reading the script for a daytime drama - I'm thinking The Young and the Restless. Alex has been hiding in plain sight for a while now, and her secret turns out to be less of a secret to those around her than she thinks. It seems that almost everyone knows. Add to that her over-active hormones and a crazy, confused love triangle, and the real story gets pushed aside and mentioned in passing while Alex's growing love affairs take center stage. I wanted to like this book, and did at first, but you can only take so much of the same lame questions that border on teen angst and blatant romance more than anything else. I really tried to like this book, but I couldn't. This could be a great story, if you could get past the self-deflating thoughts and seedy romance scenes, but again, I couldn't. I'm going to try reading the second book in this series as well, hoping that it will get better, but I don't have high expectations.
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City Of Dragons
by
Laurence Yep
E I Talamante
, February 06, 2015
A book with a simple story and a simple moral that tells a powerful story of not taking someone for 'face' value. A sad-faced boy runs away from home when his village elders ban him from the Harvest festival. He seeks a way to become useful, and enters into a world of legend in the City of the Dragons. Through skills that only he possesses, the boy returns home. Wisely, the elders realize that they had been wrong, learning lessons from both their own actions, and the mistakes of those in the past. We should all do so well to learn these lessons, and not judge people based on their appearance. Beautifully illustrated and told, this book will create a haunting memory and hopefully a lesson that even the young will understand.
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Farm
by
Tiger Tales
E I Talamante
, February 06, 2015
An adorable little book with sweet baby animals that have soft and fuzzy centers. My little one loved recognizing the animals and 'nicing' their fuzzy bellies. Easily recognizable photos of baby farm animals combine with soft patches and animal sounds to make a book that is enjoyable for children and parents to read together.
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Pilgrims First Thanksgiving
by
Ann Mcgovern
E I Talamante
, February 04, 2015
A good account about the first Thanksgiving, carefully balancing fact and story in a delicate blend that does not feel rushed or unlikely at any point. The story progresses quick enough that children don't feel bored or bogged down in details, and does not feel at any time like a history book. A good account for young children who are curious about those first few Pilgrims to Plymouth, or as a holiday tale to read before tucking into the turkey, just as a reminder of how much we have to be thankful for!
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La Cliffords Family Familia de Cliff Ord Cliffords Family
by
Norman Bridwell
E I Talamante
, February 04, 2015
Everyone's favorite Big Red Dog, Clifford, takes a trip with Emily Elizabeth (Emilia Isabel) to visit his family. Clifford has a big family, but he is a big dog, so it is no surprise that his family each has a big job! His sister is a seeing-eye dog, and his brother is a firedog. His other sister is a sheepdog in the country, and his father herds children. Clifford is so proud of his family! A great book that introduces children to different working-dog jobs in the city and the country.
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Box
by
John Hutton
E I Talamante
, February 04, 2015
A charming little board book, BOX shows the many ways that little ones can use boxes for play - some familiar, some new. The bright and colorful pictures are easily recognizable and engaging for toddlers, and can provide quite a bit of extra time discussing the images, shapes, and activities shown.
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Zebra (Natural World)
by
Malcolm Penny
E I Talamante
, February 02, 2015
Learn about zebras! Okay, first off, I love zebras. The fact that my nearly-two-year-old is selecting zebra books from the non-fiction shelves of the library on her own is exciting enough, but a book on a topic that I enjoy, to boot? Awesome! This book is really well put together. Informational and interspersed with a ton of colorful photographs, this book would be welcome on a child's shelf as a picture book and easily transferred to their reference shelf thanks to the wealth of common and uncommon knowledge used in the writing of this book. I love zebras (did I say that already?), but even I didn't know that they were closely related to rhino's and tapirs, or that Chapman's zebra can be almost completely black. The books references the Zebras habitats, life cycles, food chains, and threats, and has a helpful glossary in the back. A beautiful, informational book for children of all ages (mamas included!).
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Don't Go
by
Lisa Scottoline
E I Talamante
, February 02, 2015
First... Wow. Just Wow. This is a powerful story about a podiatrist who joins the Army Reserves to serve his country and looses more than he could have ever guessed. Friends. Family. His cat. His faith. His daughter. And even his belief in himself. But it is his friends' faith in him that finally helps this broken man become whole again. That, and his need to be a good daddy to his little girl. Emily is the same age as my own little one, and more than once while reading this story my eyes teared up. We are a military family, so I think this book hit a little closer to home than some, and I can tell you that Ms. Scottoline gets the details right - right down to the panicked feelings of combat and loss, the demands of higher command, and the struggles of returning to a civilian life. Don't Go is a Must Read. This copy was sent to me as a First Read, and I started it almost immediately after I received it. I am so sad that it took this long to finish it. This is really a moving tale that deserves full attention. Perfect for book clubs, Military wives and families, single fathers facing reuniting with their children, or anyone ready for a moving story sweeping continents, this is a book that has earned a place of honor on my own shelf.
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T Rex At Swan Lake
by
Lisa Carrier
E I Talamante
, January 28, 2015
A funny a book about a T. Rex who is tired of her life at the museum, and dreams of doing something more. This inspirational story features a T. Rex who overhears a conversation and is inspired to try something new in her old age - something wonderful. Something called ballet! She makes her way to the Opera House, enjoying the trip, and then stealing the show as she prances and whirls and leaps about. But at the end of the day, T. Rex has to go home, and her best friend is there to take her. My daughter twirled and whirled and danced with T. Rex, loving this story. I loved the message of trying something new.
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A Zebra's World (Caroline Arnold's Animals)
by
Caroline Arnold
E I Talamante
, January 28, 2015
A charming book about a zebra colt growing up on the plains of Africa, this story is informational and simple enough that little ones can understand. The last few pages offer extra details and resources, turning a sweet picture book into a little something more - a book that can be used as an introductory reference book.
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Following Papas Song
by
Gianna Marino
E I Talamante
, January 27, 2015
A daddy-story about a little whale and his baby, Little Blue. Little Blue and his father wait for the song of others to travel North to the feeding grounds, but when Little Blue strays, his father's words come back to him. He listens closely and hears, in the darkness, his fathers song. A sweet story for daddies to share with their little ones.
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Where The Wild Things Are
by
Sendak, Maurice
E I Talamante
, January 27, 2015
A classic tale of a naughty child with a wild imagination. Children can associate with Max as he causes trouble and gets sent to bed without dinner. The madness doesn't stop there as his thoughts take him to an island filled with monsters as wild as he is and he becomes King of them all. But loneliness creeps in and home beckons, drawing him back to a more domestic life. For now.
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My Pup
by
Margaret Ohair
E I Talamante
, January 27, 2015
A cute story of a pup and his girl, perfect for any canine-loving child. The simple rhymes and repeating lines combine with bright and friendly pictures to create a charming book any kid would like to see.
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Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
by
Douglas Adams
E I Talamante
, January 27, 2015
A confusing story that wraps up toward the end, but isn't that just like life? You can't make heads or tails of what's happening until towards the end. And by then, it's too late. But the beauty of a book, is you can go back and read it all over again. The individuals involved - Reg, Richard, Gordon, Susan, and Michael - all have roles to play in a wildly complicated mystery that pre-dates human life - in fact all life on the planet, and it takes Dirk Gently, aka Svlad Cjelli, to solve it, with the help of a salt cellar. A must-read for Adams fans, but don't expect to understand the complicated tangle right away. I did, and I should have read this as once does Adams' other works, and that is to sit back and enjoy the ride. Even when cats (or horses stuck in a bathroom) are involved...
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Animal Farm
by
George Orwell
E I Talamante
, January 22, 2015
A classic with a moral that has only increased in relevance over the years, this is the January selection for book.club. Subtitled 'A Fairy Story', this book is ripe with symbology and meaning. The animals strive to free themselves from human tyranny and find that as they move further and further from their former life, things seem to become more and more similar to the way they were - for some of them. The most moving character for me was the soldier-like Boxer. Even after working harder than anyone, and with a dedicated heart, he was still treated as just another resource that had out-lived it's usefulness. My heart went out to him and his friend, Clover. Clover seen what was happening, and knew it wasn't right, but couldn't determine how to change it on her own. Snowball tried to be like Jones, but it was Napoleon (with the help of the treacherous Squealer) that became Jones in the end. The Republic of Animals became a mockery of Major's dream, leaving everyone (even Benjamin) with a bad taste in their mouth. A warning to those willing to see it, this book will continue to haunt readers into the future - hopefully not one that we will share with the residents of Animal Farm.
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Batman Volume 1 The Court of Owls The New 52
by
Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo
E I Talamante
, January 15, 2015
This is the best retelling/story of Batman that I have read in a long time. Safe to say, probably the best since the old, yellow, hard-bound copy that me and my brothers pored over when we were kids (before all the fancy toys, back when the Dark Knight was simply the Caped Crusader). I can say with an assurity that I will soon be reading the second edition that I have been holding on my To-Read shelf for far too long now. After the Dark Knight movies, I was a little disappointed. Okay, more than a little. But this... Wow. Just Wow. The plot thickens as Greyson, the original Robin, is shown to have bloodties to the Court, only coming out of the shadows now. Bats gets captured, and the Bat-family go on a city-wide search for him. New toys and new findings leave Brucie wondering if he ever really knew his city - if it was ever really his to begin with. So for old comrades of Gotham City (and those who recall Detective Comics), this is a great read. For those looking for a place to start, this is a good spot. For fans of the Dark Knight version, well, give it a shot. Bats has been around for a long, long time now. For a reason. (Only thing that keeps me from giving this a total five star rating, for anyone wondering, is because of the portrayal of Bruce. He must have an excellent plastic surgeon, because he isn't showing his age one bit. I would put the portrayed age at somewhere in his early twenties here. Not exactly fair to him, but hey. Pretty boy.)
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Undone
by
Paul Jennings
E I Talamante
, January 14, 2015
A collection of short, eerie stories set in Australia and featuring brave, bold, daring kids. Each story is written in short chapters, good for new readers or readers with short attentions, but don't let the shortness of each story fool you, they are written simply and richly, so that they draw the reader in. A joining factor of all of these dissimilar stories is the twist endings. Ideal for a spooky halloween read.
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The Graveyard Book 1
by
Neil Gaiman and P Craig Russell
E I Talamante
, January 14, 2015
The first half of a graphic retelling of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book - a boy escapes his family's killer and slips into an abandoned graveyard, only to gain it's residents as his new family and guardians. The boy, renamed Nobody Owens, has adventures as any other boy might, but his adventures are uniquely his. A charming, generous child, he makes friends of the friendless and willingly disobeys his parents in order to help others. It's not his fault that some things are more dangerous than others. The story ends in this volume with The Man Jack, his family's murderer, stating that he will finish his job and finish the boy. From this, we can tell that Bod is meant for much greater things. Now to find the second volume...
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Llama Llama Holiday Drama
by
Anna Dewdney
E I Talamante
, January 12, 2015
A holiday book that focuses on the one part of the holiday most forgotten - heart. The rhyming prose and colorful character of Llama Llama will be familiar to any parent having dealt with a child impatient for the holidays to arrive. The book seems to take strides to avoid mentioning *which* secular holiday tradition is being upheld by the Llama household - a win in my book!
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Railway Man A POWs Searing Account of War Brutality & Forgiveness
by
Eric Lomax
E I Talamante
, January 08, 2015
This was suggested during an edX course I had taken. I don't usually read war stories. It is not something that I get into, but somehow, the story called to me, and I got the book. I am glad that I did. I do like reading true stories and personal accounts. An autobiography of a POW survivor's account of his service and war, Eric Lomax is what I would call a hero, not only for what he went through and how he reacted bravely, even in the face of death, but in the fact that he could find peace and forgiveness for his suffering. Lomax was a Scottish soldier, stationed in the Far East during the height of WWII, and witness to the abuses and suffering of his fellow prisoners. He found the strength to carry on, move on, and come to terms through documenting what had happened. His matter of fact recounting of events makes the events understandable and relate-able, even now. I have recommended this account to a number of people already, and will continue to do so.
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Magic Bites Kate Daniels 01
by
Ilona Andrews
E I Talamante
, January 07, 2015
A fantasy novel without the gratuitous sex scenes that bore me, has a kick-ass twenty-something heroine with a bit of experience behind her, and dangerous men all in a world infused with magic? Yes, please! I came into this book after listening to the sixth installment on Playaway, so I was a little bit jaded, and more than a little pleased! This book, the first in what is turning out to be an excellent series, has me hooked as Kate, a no-nonsense kind of girl, gets lost in the investigation of the murder of her guardian and tangles with both the leaders of the People - a group of vampires - and the Beasts - shapechangers that assume both human and various animal forms. The story is also complicated by a possible romantic interest in the form of a high-class plastic surgeon who finds Kate's rough edges part of her charm. But life on the darker side has left Kate a little cold to a warm touch - or has it? Already reserved the next book at the library, and ready to pick up where this quick read ended.
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I Trixie Who Is Dog
by
Dean R Koontz
E I Talamante
, January 04, 2015
A tribute to the family dog, and a fun read for puppy loving children. The language was at times awkward, and other times flowed. It attempted at times to be lyrical, then would fail. But the illustrations were smart and funny and my daughter loved pointing out the dog on each page. Bought on a whim since this book supports Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), and my daughter can't resist a "puppy book". It's a win-win, even if it sounds a bit strange.
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An Undone Fairy Tale
by
Ian Lendler
E I Talamante
, January 04, 2015
A story, told from the point of view of the artists. A very sweet, funny, action filled story, that could only encourage a child to turn the next page and keep reading by telling them to stop! The story, of a princess locked in a tower and forced to work while waiting for a prince to save her is turned on it's head and quickly improvised as the artists struggle to keep up. And then there's Trevor, the artist's dog. The princess soon realizes that she's not going to be rescued anytime soon, and... well... deals with it. My only complaint is that the story was so short! Maybe a sequel will follow? (Hint, hint?)
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100 People Who Changed America
by
Russell Freedman
E I Talamante
, January 02, 2015
A gift from my oldest daughter to my youngest, this is a good introduction to people who have made a difference, but contrary to the introduction, it is not a good reference material. Each mini-bio and fast facts are a short introduction to Americans ranging from the 1600s through today. The book is inspirational in the things that people have done, and good for an inspiration for children that need a little reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to.
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Adventures of Sir Gawain the True
by
Gerald Morris and Aaron Renier
E I Talamante
, December 31, 2014
An excellent retelling of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - written for children! I picked this up at the library on a lark as part of my December Book Club selection. I didn't expect much of it, but as the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by it's cover, and this comely edition proves just that. The age old story, that I am well familiar with, is renewed. Emphasizing the lessons of the older translations in a way that recounts the story in modern english while written for children, without speaking down to it's audience, this book is one that I will seek out again to re-read to my older children. I didn't think, though, that this retelling deserves a full five stars because of the slight change that was made by the author with the ending. Otherwise, I loved this edition.
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Guardians of the Galaxy
by
Tomas Palacios, Disney Book Group
E I Talamante
, December 31, 2014
A brief feature of the origins of The Guardians, with each of the unlikely heroes giving their bit of backstory. This brief prelude primarily features Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, but that is only fitting since he is the leader and reason for the Guardians' existence. Not a whole lot of story involved, but a good addition to a collection, or for the newest generation of fanboys and fangirls.
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Bleach, Vol. 22
by
Tite Kubo
E I Talamante
, December 28, 2014
I am familiar with Bleach through Adult Swim, but still found myself kind of lost as I read this. I guess starting in the middle was not the smartest idea I've had, but I figured I'd give it a go before I returned my daughter's library book. I'll see if I can start at the beginning of the story, and work my way back to this volume. If not, then I know not to try starting from the middle. Definitely *not* a stand-alone.
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Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 Angela Marvel Now
by
Brian Michael Bendis, Neil Gaiman, Sara Pichelli
E I Talamante
, December 28, 2014
The addition of new characters, old favorites, and some I haven't seen in a long time flavor this second collected edition of the favorite Guardians and their ongoing war against Thanos in the attempt to protect Peter's home planet - Earth. Angela, an angel, is ripped through a tear in space and time, and left confused on this side of the Galaxy. The Watcher intercedes, and Quill consults Thanos in an attempt to find out exactly what is going on. I point out, this is a more adult comic than recommended, and some of the jokes require some knowledge of 80's pop culture to "get". Fortunately, I have first hand information! Iron Man and Gamora attempt a questionable relationship, and Rocket has a wonderful way with words, making this more humorous than the first collection, as well as a bit more mature. Reader be warned.
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Llama Llama & the Bully Goat
by
Anna Dewdney
E I Talamante
, December 28, 2014
My daughter loves the Llama Llama books - she will stop tantrums to come and stare at the colorful pictures and point at things she recognizes. The simple rhyming language helps convey deeper meanings while holding the youngest of attentions. When Llama gets bullied at school, he and his friends with the help of a kind teacher, helps Bully Goat Gilroy understand that bullying is not the way to make friends. By the end of the day, and the story, Gilroy has learned a valuable lesson, and helped youngsters understand what is not acceptable behavior.
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Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1 Cosmic Avengers Marvel Now
by
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics
E I Talamante
, December 25, 2014
The uncanny comic origins of the defenders known as The Guardians of the Galaxy - NOT as you may know them from the recent Disney/Marvel movie of the same name. Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, meets with Star-Lord and finds himself (along with the rest of them) in deep, intergalactic trouble. King J-son of Spartax, once an idealistic young man, finds himself opposing his son while trying to bring together the universe's greatest powers - each an ambassador from the various galactic empires that dot the Milky Way galaxy. When the All-Mother sees through J-son's plan, the various dignitaries sense impending war. Also included are mini stories featuring the various members of the Guardians as Star-Lord attempts to bring the team together one more time for a little action and a peace-keeping mission.
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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cats (Hardcover): The Classic Edition
by
Don Daily
E I Talamante
, December 23, 2014
It was awesome! says my 13 year old. A kitty variation of a familiar holiday tune. I don't think that I sang it very well, but I tried, and the kids all cheered and laughed at the frisky felines adorning each page. A convenient last page featuring one of each kitty also holds the complete carol for the ease of holiday singing around a tree or for relatives. My son enjoyed matching the cat to the lyric on this page. Excellent for any cat lover.
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St. Patrick's Day
by
Anne Rockwell
E I Talamante
, December 23, 2014
Very interesting, says my 13 year old. This is a good introduction or supplement to St. Patricks Day, and the events that surround it as school children each take turns in their own way to tell a different part of why we celebrate this holiday.
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Christmas Carol
by
Quentin Blake
E I Talamante
, December 20, 2014
A classic christmas story that has become an icon for the holidays. Read as part of the edX BerkeleyX Book Club, I found a number of new and interesting tidbits as I read through again. For example, an essay written for the Book Club: "I started with a generalized image search on Dogpile for "the ghosts of A Christmas Carol". I received a number of interesting results including a set of toys from one of the Disney versions. As I began a second search using my favorite remaking of the story, Bill Murray's Scrooged, I began to notice an interesting trend - the Spirits of Christmas Past and Present often had a smile on their faces while the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come either wore a scowl or no expression at all (due to the face being hidden by a cowl - the spelling of that alone is interesting, showing a similarity in scowl and cowl - the difference being only a single letter). Why is this? I believe that it may have to do with the uncertainty of the future, and the fear of loss that the story hints at. Scrooge is miserly because he is afraid to loose the money he has made and earned. He is afraid of lost time - his clerk not working on Christmas Day, and having to make up for it by coming in early on Boxing Day. The loss of Tiny Tim, as well as the loss of Scrooge's partner Marley, and the sorrow and mourning it brings to his family is prevalent in Scrooge's mind, as well as the emotions that the boy brings to all readers. Uncertainty is something that cannot be prepared for, and Scrooge begs the Spirit "Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only?" It is this fear of the unknown that clutches Scrooge as he tries to come to terms with his own fate. In many of the instances the Spirits each showed an additional element. The Spirit of Christmas Past - whether portrayed as male, female, young, old, or not even human, was also the Spirit of Purity. The bright light, white garments, and even the cocky, playful nature of Murray's Christmas Past symbolize Purity and Innocence lost. I think that artists of all kinds try to encapsulate this into the Spirit of Christmas Past. The Spirit of Christmas Present displays Plenty and Mirth, even as it hides Ignorance and Want. If Ignorance is Bliss, as the old saying goes, then this is well portrayed in the Spirit of the Present. It is no accident that Christmas Present (the Spirit) and Christmas Presents (the gifts) as so similar in sound. The image of this Spirit are often shown, wrapped (like a gift) in a robe or gown and hiding their contents (in the case of the Spirit, the two children), while the Spirit smiles and shares freely. As we seen with old Fezziwig, sharing does not need to cost a fortune to bring about plenty. To believe such feeds Ignorance, and later Want." There are a number of other things that make revisiting this old tale new again. If it's been a while for you, I recommend reading it again. Many of the images I found seemed to show these elements of the Spirits without much beyond superficial variations (such as gender and age). This is because the meaning has been so ingrained into our memories that it is the essence that shines through, regardless of the packaging. This, as mentioned before, can be reduced to the expression the artist gives to the face of the individual Spirit of the season, and the faces that we in turn share with those around us.
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A Bed for the Winter (Dorling Kindersley Readers)
by
Dorling Kindersley Publishing and Karen Wallace and DK Publishing
E I Talamante
, December 20, 2014
A good introduction to reading, vocabulary, and the winter in this story about a dormouse trying to find the best house for the winter. My toddler loved matching the vocabulary words with their pictures, and I loved that she is increasing her understanding of words in a way that she responds to.
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Three Jovial Huntsmen
by
Susan Jeffers
E I Talamante
, December 20, 2014
A clever take on an old rhyme, the illustrations are the best part of this story. I read this to the kids as a bedtime story, and even the oldest ones were picking out the animals on the pages. My only complaint was that it was so short, but it did stay true to the tale.
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Witchs Hat
by
Tony Johnston
E I Talamante
, December 13, 2014
A funny rhyming book about a witch, and her hat. As that magic hat falls in the cauldron, it takes on a life of it's own, and runs from the witch. She encounters many animals before finding her hat and firmly affixing it to her head as a hat again. Or is it?
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Uniquely New Mexico (State Studies: Uniquely)
by
Coleen Hubbard
E I Talamante
, December 13, 2014
A good reference book about New Mexico, perfect for school children of all ages, or a quick brush up before a visit.
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Snowboard Twist
by
Jean Craighead George
E I Talamante
, December 08, 2014
A fact based adventure story aboud two snowboarders, an avalanche and a very smart little dog. When Dag and his son go out to explore the snow and check it's integrity, their little dog goes with. He saves the bold Kelly from a deadly fate when the little dog knocks her off her feet, saving the day. A good way to teach children about the dangers of snowboarding and skiing in fresh snow, and the warning signs of an avalanche.
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Hawaii
by
Lerner
E I Talamante
, December 08, 2014
An interesting, informative introduction to our island state of Hawai'i. This reference contained more than just basic information, but has history, popular travel locations, fun facts and more. A good read for those looking to travel to or research for school more about these fascinating islands.
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Tale Of Mr Jeremy Fisher
by
Beatrix Potter
E I Talamante
, December 04, 2014
A classic from Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit collection. Mr. Jeremy Fisher, a frog, goes out fishing, and gets more than he bargained for, and comes home without a fish dinner. The story details Mr. Fisher's fishing adventure, and ends with a nice dinner with friends, after all. A good story for any little fisherman or girl.
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Petite Rouge
by
Sheila Collins
E I Talamante
, December 04, 2014
A twist on Little Red Riding Hood, with a gator instead of a wolf. The story is a neat introduction to Cajun french, and gives translations at the bottom of each page.
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Monarch Butterfly
by
Gail Gibbons
E I Talamante
, December 04, 2014
A butterfly story that starts with egg and follows butterflies through migration and their return. The ends with how to look for and raise your own caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly (although the book encourages you to release it so it will not die). Overall good book with plenty of images and chances to discuss with your child, while staying relevant enough to use as a reference.
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Peck, Peck, Peck
by
Molly Carroll
E I Talamante
, December 04, 2014
This book gained my one year old's interest, and held it. Photographs of birds, fish, and simple language combine to create a charming board book worthy of multiple reads.
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Tale Of The Flopsy Bunnies
by
Beatrix Potter
E I Talamante
, December 03, 2014
A classic tale about a few naughty little bunnies and their bunny daddy. The small book size is perfect for small hands, and the story is perfect for short attentions. Part of a collection of Peter Rabbit Books by Beatrix Potter.
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Tale Of Tom Kitten
by
Beatrix Potter
E I Talamante
, December 03, 2014
A classic tale about three naughty little kittens. The small book size is perfect for small hands, and the story is perfect for short attentions. Part of a collection of Peter Rabbit Books by Beatrix Potter.
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The Night Gardener
by
Jonathan Auxier
E I Talamante
, December 03, 2014
Molly and Kip, two children escaping Ireland during the Potato Famine, find themselves looking for work where others have fled. Molly, a practiced storyteller obtains work in the cursed Sourwoods, an area everyone they run across tells them to avoid at all costs. But Molly is desperate and determined, as is her crippled brother. They start working at a tortured looking house for a family with too many secrets. As strange things start to happen, a rift begins to grow between Molly and her brother. Slowly they start to discover the secrets of the house, the secrets of the family, and the secrets of the evil looking tree that plays such a big part in everyone's life who lives at the Windsor's. With the help of Courage, Kip, and an old woman whom they are certain is a witch, Molly and her brother face the Night Gardner and the tree, revealing it's secrets and breaking the curse. But will they survive it?
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Vuela, supermosca, vuela! / Fly High, Fly Guy!
by
Tedd Arnold
E I Talamante
, December 03, 2014
A Spanish easy reader about a boy and his fly. Yes, that's right. A boy and his fly. The family takes off on a vacation, thinking they left Gus' fly behind, only to see him everywhere they go, but in the attempt to leave the fly behind, the family gets lost themselves, and it is Supermosca, the fly, that helps the family find their way home.
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A Confusion of Princes
by
Garth Nix
E I Talamante
, December 03, 2014
A Prince of the Empire, groomed for the highest galactic honor, receives the chance and training to know what it is like to be human - and decides that he likes it. This goes against everything the empire stands for, and Khemri finds that with everything he learns, he questions what he has learned more and more. When he finally encounters his sister, Khemri realizes that he must make a choice, and chooses a deadly path. Will his choice be the right one, though? Can he rely on his instincts, his human instincts, not his Princely ones, to achieve his ultimate goal? Can anyone?
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Money Master the Game 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
by
Anthony Robbins, Tony Robbins
E I Talamante
, November 13, 2014
First off, this is a review for Smiley360 (smiley.socialmedialink.com). I received a sample chapter of the book for review, so this review is not based on the complete book. Reader be warned. The book begins as any hyped-up book does - with numerous pages of positive reviews. I generally skip these because I really don't want them to color my opinion of the actual book. But I feel obliged to note that there were, in fact, 5 pages of hype before the title of the book. This is followed by a Foreward and Introduction that is basically drawn out examples of the same thing. All of the hype is designed to 'prime' you for what the author is trying to sell. The book itself does not begin until about page 30 (30 of 55 on the pdf version I was asked to review). The first chapter, appropriate to the book's title, deals with money. It goes on to emphasize the importance of money in our day-to-day lives with "I want to remind you, this is a game that you and your family can’t afford to lose." This impresses on the reader their need to continue reading this book. This is further implied by the following: "My promise to you is this: if you will stay with me and follow the 7 Simple Steps in this book�"the steps that have been distilled from the world’s most successful financial players�"you and your family will win this game. And you can win big!" Not too subtle. "I hope you’ll let me be your translator as well as your guide on this journey. Together we’ll break the code and cut through the complexity that keeps most of us feeling like outsiders in the world of finance." Okay. I'm game... "Before you know it, you’ll be an insider too." Wait... what? So, this is basically a book about Insider Trading for Dummies? And then comes the name-dropping. (I won't bother quoting the list. Just know that for someone this famous, name-dropping is bad form.) While some of the tips and suggestions hinted at in the first chapter do seem intriguing, they are not enough to answer the question posed at the end of the first chapter: "Do I have you hooked on what’s really possible for your life now?" This may be a book I come back to later, to read the full story, and thus update my review, but as things stand, I cannot bring myself to place this on the top of my "Reading Shelf". For those looking to get into investing, this is a good place to turn, but for everyone else... do yourself a favor and pass.
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Dinosaur Farm
by
Frann Preston Gannon
E I Talamante
, November 04, 2014
What's a day like on a dinosaur farm? This charming book gives a glimpse into a farmer's day taking care of his dinosaurs. Charming pictures and imaginative dialogue are featured in this playful romp. Perfect for even the littlest dino enthusiast.
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Seven Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor
by
John Yeoman
E I Talamante
, October 23, 2014
A wonderful retelling of a classic story, complete with illustrations. This retelling is complete, and teaches the lessons of perseverance, honesty, dedication, and the true wealth in life. Sinbad the Sailor, through his stories, teaches these lessons, as well as the lesson of being content with what you have in life to Sinbad the Porter, a man that he encounters outside his house one day. Lessons that are as import for children, as well as adults.
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Verily, A New Hope: Star Wars: William Shakespeare's Star Wars 4
by
Ian Doescher
E I Talamante
, October 23, 2014
A wonderful retelling of a classic story, a story we know so well. I found myself laughing throughout as classic stories blended perfectly, and in iambic parameter, no less. Those familiar with the Bard will catch the references to Hamlet, The Scottish Play, Midsummer's Night's Dream, and Henry (among others) as well as classic lines re-written, such as "I find thy lack of faith disturbing." My only complaint would be of Han - the speeches given him do not fit nearly as well as the others, leaving the most familiar scoundrel in the 'Verse to be a shadow of his former self. Other than that, this was a most enjoyable read, and one I look forward to continuing in the next book.
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Cleopatra y Su Gata
by
Cecilia Blanco
E I Talamante
, October 23, 2014
A cute book in Spanish about Cleopatra and her cat, Isis. As Cleopatra goes about her day, she talks to her cat, and her Isis responds, Miaaa. But each time, it means something new. By the end, Cleopatra has a surprise for Isis. The book finishes with information about Egyptians and their cats (or is it cats, and their Egyptians?). Great for practicing your Spanish, or introducing baby to another language.
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Calendar Mysteries #11: November Night
by
Ron Roy
E I Talamante
, October 23, 2014
I nice little mystery where everything is not what it seems. There seems to be a lack of parental involvement as our heroes try to find out exactly what the new neighbors are doing under the large tarp to their old tree. As time passes, the children get more and more daring, doing riskier and riskier things (including breaking & entering and trespassing) to learn more. The night before Thanksgiving, they risk an encounter with the big dog in the newly fenced in yard, and get caught! The outcome is alot nicer than they could have hoped for. A good early grades reader.
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Tigers Apprentice 01
by
Laurence Yep
E I Talamante
, October 14, 2014
Tom, a boy living with his eccentric grandmother, discovers that the stories she tells him, and the lessons she teaches him have basis in fact in one eventful, memorable, horrifying afternoon. Mr. Hu, his grandmother's former apprentice (the place Tom now holds) visits, bringing with him a change for Tom. As he becomes Mr. Hu's apprentice, Tom learns more lessons and finally understands what his grandmother taught him as Mr. Hu and crew fight against an evil force. But will Tom make the ultimate sacrifice before the end?
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