Going Bovine

Wow. I hated this book. I have this problem called not being able to not finish a book that I've started. I just wouldn't recommend this - unless you like hallucinogenic stories. This was just one strange story. Also, another beef that I have is that it's a young adult book, there's a ton of terrible language. I also hate it when there's too much of an author trying to talk like a young kid. (the "lingo.") Totally annoying! (It also looks like it got some kind of award - but I'm not sure why!)

House Rules

This is the newest book by Jodi Picoult. I thought that it was really interesting (as usual.) It's about a boy with Asperger's that is convicted of a crime. It was really interesting to think about the way that a disability could be perceived as well as the potential problems that someone like this could face. Another thought-provoking book.

The Magician's Elephant

This was a really sweet story by Kate DiCamillo. I felt like it was a fairy tale almost. It's a story about a little boy in search of his sister and an elephant that just wants to return home. These come together to help each other (as well as some other fun characters.) This is a definite recommendation must read.

Woods Runner

I just finished this new book by Gary Paulsen. It's about a young boy in Revolutionary War America. I really learned a lot about that era and that war in this novel. I couldn't imagine living during that time period and during the Revolutionary War. So many lives were lost during that time. Wow! I'm grateful for the willingness of those men.

The Viper's Nest

This is the seventh book in the 39 Clues series. I learned about South Africa as Amy and Dan search for a clue in Pretoria. (It even helped me with a crossword puzzle - the Boers!)

In Too Deep

This is book #6 in the 39 Clues series. This book follows the Cahill kids as they travel to Australia and Jakarta. Again, I learned a lot!

Beyond the Grave

This is book four in the 39 Clues series. I listened to it while driving to and from work and Salt Lake. It was pretty entertaining.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Wow, what a great book. Mom and dad both read this, so I decided to read it. It was a really interesting story about a young Chinese boy and a Japanese girl that become friends during World War II. I always thought that the Japanese internment camps seemed so terrible, but I'd never thought about the relationships between other Asian groups of people. I was also unaware of the differences between Chinese and Japanese at the time - they were also at war (and had been for many years.) This was a really sweet story. I would absolutely recommend it.

Viola in Reel Life

This was a great young adult book! It's about a young New Yorker that is sent to a boarding school in South Bend, Indiana. She's just not sure if she can survive there. I would recommend it. It was a sweet story and a quick read!

The Sword Thief

The third book in the 39 Clues is The Sword Thief. This one takes the reader to Japan and Hong Kong with uncle Alistair. Again, more adventures with the Cahills as they search for the great powers to be found. They even get a little help from their distant cousins.