Author: booknutgirls

booknutgirls http://thebooknutdotcom.wordpress.com I read. I blog. I sell books. I chauffeur my kids. What more do you need to know?

Geeking a Review

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This week’s Weekly Geek:

  1. In your blog, list any books you’ve read but haven’t reviewed yet. If you’re all caught up on reviews, maybe you could try this with whatever book(s) you finish this week.
  2. Ask your readers to ask you questions about any of the books they want. In your comments, not in their blogs. Most likely, people who will ask you questions will be people who have read one of the books or know something about it because they want to read it.
  3. Later, take whichever questions you like from your comments and use them in a post about each book. Link to each blogger next to that blogger’s question(s).
  4. Visit other Weekly Geeks and ask them some questions!

I was considering not doing this one, because the whole gimmick with my blog is that I never get behind on reviews, writing them up as soon as I finish the book. However, I can do it for a current book, and since M picked up a hold that came in yesterday, I figured that would work as well as any. It was this one (I was SO excited):

I picked it up last night and couldn’t put it down. (I’m almost done.) I’ll probably finish the book tomorrow, and write my review sometime after that. So, since I’m practically the last person on earth to read this one, have at it: question away… I’ll do my best to answer them when I write up the review.

Leave it to Psmith

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I have to admit psomething. As much as I thought Right Ho, Jeeves was oojah-cum-pspiff (ha! I used it in a psentance!), I think I love Psmith (the P is silent like phthisis, psychic, ptarmigan, or pshrimp) more. Wodehouse was in fine, fine form here, and he had me rolling. Honestly. I had to be careful about drinking anything while reading for fear of damaging the library copy. Being a visual person, it takes a LOT to get me laughing when I read, but this one… well, it’s hilarious.

The plot — like I’m gathering most Wodehouse plots are — pretty convoluted. (Around and around in circles without ever going anywhere.) And very psilly. (Kind of like this review pso far.) Psmith is the son of a fish mogul, and is wanting out of the business. Can’t stand the pstuff. Pso, he puts an ad in the paper offering his pservices. He gets “hired” by the Honorable Freddy Threepwood (right ho!) to pinch his aunt’s necklace. There’s a good reason for this, but it’s much too complicated for this psimple review… Anyway. Psmith ends up at Blandings Castle, in the guise of a poet McTodd. Along the way he meets, and falls in love with, Eve Halliday, who is also going to Blandings Castle. Much psilliness, misconseptions, and humor enuses (including flower-pot throwing, mistaken identitites, Canadians posing as valets, dead bats, and pinched necklaces, of course).

Really. Just read the book. Right, ho.

Found a Meme

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I’m having too much fun with a meme-week, I couldn’t stop. I found this one at Bloggin’ ’bout Books.

Do you remember how you developed a love of reading? Not really. I can’t remember my parents reading to me, though I’m sure they did. My earliest memory of reading is of the Little House books. I devoured books but I can’t remember much about how I came to enjoy devouring them….

What are some books you loved as a child? The Little House books, Harriet the Spy, Jacob Have I Loved, The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz (and subsequent books) are ones that come to mind (right now anyway).

What is your favorite genre? YA, specifically fantasy. But pretty much all YA.

Do you have a favorite novel? Nope. When pressed, I come up with some Jane Austen. Though I really like Shannon Hale right now.

Where do you usually read? In the easy chair in the family room. Or in my bed. Or on the sofa in the living room. Sometimes, I’ll even read while cooking dinner…

When do you usually read? People have asked me how I get so much reading done. (“So much” being relative…) I let the girls watch a movie in the afternoon — there’s 1 1/2 hours. And I put them to bed by 8, so I have 2 or more hours in the evening (that’s not worked this summer too well)…. And I read in fits and snatches throughout the rest of the day when they’re not pulling on me (or I’m not blogging).

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Nope. Can’t do it and don’t like to.

Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? Nope.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out from the library? Library! Love the library!! Can’t live without the library!!

Do you keep most of the books you buy? Yes. I try not to buy a book unless I really love it and want to keep it.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? They love the Tasha Tudor books A is for Annabel and 1 is One; both are from my childhood. M liked the Little House books, and C really likes Wizard of Oz. A and K are up for grabs right now.

What are you reading now? Leave it to Psmith, P.G. Wodehouse.

Do you keep a TBR list? A couple, actually. One on the library’s website of books they have, and my Amazon wish list serves as a secondary TBR list. Then there’s the piles of books by my bedside…

What’s next? I’ve got a couple of books to read for August’s Estella’s Revenge up right next. Then 13 Little Blue Envelopes. And then I have to decide whether or not I want to take Tess of the D’Ubervilles or Rebecca on vacation. (Any thoughts??)

What books would you like to re-read? I have decided that there are too many books and not enough time (and I don’t read fast enough) for me to re-read compulsively. I have re-read the Austen books this year, but that’s the last books I can think of re-reading.

Who are your favorite authors? Right now: Shannon Hale. Jessica Day George. Sarah Beth Durst. Jeanne Birdsall. (Ack. All women and all YA/middle-grade…)

More Memes…

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Perhaps I should go for a meme week? This one I found over at Bookworm:

What kind of a book are you most comfortable reading?

Fantasy, probably. Specifically, young adult fantasy novels. I have a real soft spot for princesses. Especially ones with sweet love stories and happily-ever-afters. (Swoon.)

What kind of a book do you love to hate?

Pot boilers. Self-help novels. Especially ones that are masquerading as self-help novels. Many Oprah reads. I’m terribly suspicious of bestseller lists…

What was the last book you surprised yourself by liking?

Suite Francaise. It’s not that I thought I’d dislike it, but more that I didn’t have any expectations for it. And I loved the book.

What was the last book you surprised yourself by disliking?

The Book Thief. I thought I would like it. YA, rave reviews from bloggers I respect. I thought it was a shoo-in for sure. But it kind of feel, well, flat.

What would be the worst book to be marooned on a desert island with?

Any Berenstain Bears book. Especially if one of my girls were with me and I was forced to read it out loud five times every night. (Oh, wait…)

What book would you take with you if you suspected you might be marooned in the near future?

I should be practical and have something useful, but I’d probably grab Lord of the Rings or a couple of Robin McKinley books (or even a Harry Potter), just for some light reading.

What forces you to read outside your comfort zone?

Challenges, book groups, and bloggers who write wonderful reviews. I would still be wandering the stacks at the library wondering what’s good if it weren’t for all of you… 🙂

Love, Stargirl

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I read Stargirl a while back (pre-blog; the review of it is exactly one sentence long), and remember really liking it. I think what I really liked was Stargirl herself; I remember liking her individuality, her fearlessness in the face of peer pressure. However, it’s been years since I read this, and that was a bit of a mistake in picking this one up. It picks up right after Stargirl ends, and if you don’t remember the end of that one, you’ll be a bit lost in this one. At least for a little while.

It’s not that reading the first is crucial to enjoying Love, Stargirl; it’s not. I enjoyed it. But I did feel like I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I could have, had I read Stargirl more recently.

The book follows Stargirl for a year, presumably, the year following her and Leo’s falling out. She’s moved to Pennsylvania, and she’s back to being homeschooled. It’s written in diary form — the world’s longest letter to Leo — and it follows her daily life with her quirky friends. There’s the boisterous five-year-old, Dootsie; the angry and aggressive 11-year-old, Alvina; Betty Lou, who hasn’t left her house in nine years; Charlie, who spends his days at the gravesite of his dead wife; Arnold, who’s one sentence is “Are you looking for me?”; and last, but not least, Perry. Perry may (or may not be) interested in Stargirl. For herself. But he’s got issues — a deadbeat dad, a stealing habit, and a harem — and Stargirl’s not sure whether or not she’s interested in him. Or in love, since her heart’s still broken because of Leo.

I had different expectations for this book — it’s a cute, sweet little book, but I wanted it to soar. I wanted a different resolution than I got (though the one I got was satisfying in its own way). There were fun antics, but Stargirl wasn’t the strong, independent, trend-bucking person I remembered. Perhaps she wasn’t meant to be — Leo did shake her foundation (at least I gathered that) — but I missed the free-flowing, uniqueness of Stargirl.

I wanted to like this one a whole lot more than I did. Which is too bad. Because I really liked my memory of Stargirl.

I’m Feeling Meme-y

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I’ve seen this one around for a while, and toyed with the thought of doing it, but something always got in the way. Today, though, things aligned so that I could spend an hour picking just the right photos. Enjoy.


1. What is your first name? Melissa

2. What is your favorite food? Pulled pork sandwiches, Memphis-style

3. What high school did you go to? Saline High School

4. What is your favorite color? Yellow. Today at least.

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Colin Firth. (Yeah, me and every other woman in the country…) Technically, I like all dark-haired men with accents, but that covers a whole lot of people. He was just the first.

6. What is your favorite drink? Water. (I’m boring.)

7. What is your dream vacation? Someplace in Ireland or England.

8. What is your favorite dessert? Cake. Doesn’t matter what kind. (Except carrot, maybe.)

9. What did you want to be when you grow up? Sports reporter

10. What do you love most in life? Family

11. What is one word that describes you? Good-hearted

12. What is your flickr name? The Fox Girls

Photo credits:
1. Thirsty Bee!, 2. Pulled Pork Sandwich, 3. Saline High School (Saline, Michigan), 4. Yellow Beauty, 5. Colin Firth revisited, 6. Tall Drink of Water, 7. The Four Courts, 8. One Chocolate Wedding Cake, 9. In the Press Box, 10. The Finger Family, 11. Good Hearted Woman, 12. The kids are alright….

Instructions, if you’d like to do this yourself:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image. [I did allow myself to choose between the first pages of the three search options: most relevant, most recent, and most interesting (I think most interesting is the default search]

3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

A Quirky Meme (and a Bloggy Thank You)

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Becky tagged me for the six quirks meme. I swear I’ve done this one before, but Blogger (which does not lie) syas that I haven’t, and since I started no less than three books yesterday, not finishing any, I figured what the heck. Why not. You really want to know more weird stuff about me. Right?

Rules:
1. Link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged

1. I cannot read more than one book at a time. It’s not just that I prefer to read one book at a time (which I do), or even that I don’t want to read more than one book. It’s that I’m unable to read more than one book at a time. I’ve tried… and I just can’t. I’m compelled to finish the book I’ve started. Unless it’s really bad. But it has to be REALLY bad.

2. I’m genetically predisposed to have a clean house. People come and admire my house, and ask why it’s so clean, and I can’t come up with anything more than I have to have a clean house because I’m genetically driven to do so. (You should see my grandmother’s house…) Except my pj/sock drawer. That’s really messy.

3. In addition to having a clean house, I’m a compulsive redecorator. This used to involve Hubby pushing around furniture about every 3 or 4 months, but mostly now involves me daydreaming about paint and buying knick-knacks, art, and bedding. Most recently, I redecorated two out of the three girls rooms (one room has two girls), though they’re not “finished”. Incidentally, M has inherited this; she’s rearranged the furniture in her bedroom at least a dozen times in the two years we’ve lived in this house.

4. I get ready for bed in exactly the same way every night. (Take out contacts, wash face, brush teeth, brush hair, put on pjs. Always in that order.) I don’t know if my husband’s noticed this, but several roommates of mine in college commented on it… additionally, I can’t sleep if I don’t have pjs, on. And it can’t be a nightgown either. It has to be pants.

5. I have a fear of heights. Mostly open, but all heights, especially if there are big windows. I freak out when going up the Space Needle, or the Arch (in St. Louis), or even a tall building. I stand in the dead center away from all windows, freaking out that my kids are going to fall to their deaths (not to mention myself). In spite of this, I still get talked into doing that kind of stuff with my family.

6. I’m really mostly normal. How terrible. Sorry.

I would like to know weird stuff about (six people I’ve never tagged before): 3M, softdrink, Em, Sarah, Trish, and Susan.

In other passing-along-news, softdrink has bestowed the Blogging Excellence award on me because I hosted a challenge way back in the winter. Wow. 🙂 (I’ve been playing around with hosting another one, but I think I’ll wait until 2009…) Thanks so much!!

Passing it along:

…all my Nook friends are most excellent for not only challenging me with our reading selections, making me defend and stretch myself, but also because they’re awesome women (and man — I haven’t forgotten you, Kari).

… I’d give it to the entire kidlit community if I could, since they’re a bunch of awesome bloggers with fabulous taste, but I’ll give it to a couple of the newbies: Abby (the) Librarian and Shelf Elf. Thank you so much for your book recommendations. I haven’t been steered wrong by them yet.

… and anyone out there (reading this right now) who hasn’t gotten it. You’re awesome, too. 🙂

The Host

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This book has been getting mixed reviews on the book blogs — some people love it, others not so much. I have to admit that I didn’t have much interest in it, aside from reading the jacket flap at the bookstore once. But a friend offered to loan me her copy and I figured if I didn’t have to buy it or wait in a hold line for it, I’d read it.

It sat on my nightstand for two months, until Becky decided to use it as her book for her book group this month. I figured this was my reason for actually getting it read (and getting it back to my friend!). I started it, then about 14 chapters in, I realized I had other books due at the library, so I put this one down and read three other books. And I didn’t miss it. I finally picked it back up a few days ago and have been reading it in snatches ever since. I wasn’t gripped by it — not like Twilight, anyway — and it wasn’t until the last 150 or so pages that I actually really liked the book.

The plot is really convoluted to explain (I tried explaining it to Hubby, but it took a long time and a lot of questions for him to ever make sense of it). From the start, I felt like it was a Star Trek rip-off, and thanks to Natasha at Maw Books, I relized that was because Star Trek: The Next Generation actually did an episode fairly similar this. (I even remember watching that episode.) It also has Invasion of the Body Snatcher overtones, as well as other space drama influences. Given that the story itself is not original, the perspective of the book is: the main character is the alien, Wanderer (I hate the nickname they gave her: Wanda. Bleh.), and the events are from her point of view. Like Twilight, the innovation in Meyer’s work isn’t the plot or the characterization, but rather the method of telling the story. We’re made to sympathize (and sympathize I did… I really liked Wanderer) with what is supposed to be the enemy.

As for the whole “science fiction for those who don’t like science fiction”: this is no more science fiction than, well, Star Trek: TNG, which is more space drama than anything. (For back up here, go read Julie’s post on science fiction movies…. I really need to go see Wall-E.) This isn’t science fiction. Not by a long shot. More… paranormal romance. But then, the romance isn’t really romantic (sweet, nice, interesting, but lacking in, well, romance). More like paranormal contemporary drama with a bit of kissing thrown in. (But, as a publisher, how do you market something like that? Then again, it’s Stephenie Meyer. Her name has probably sold a lot on it’s own.) That didn’t bother me; I didn’t expect much else from Meyer. (Definately not science fiction.) I did like the relationships, though — not so much Jared and Melanie, but the other ones. I liked the relationship Wanderer had with her “host” (even though she wasn’t supposed to have one); I liked the people she met once she got to the caves, and the conflict there. But, I felt like she took too long getting where she needed to go; the pacing was very uneven. This book is a huge rock that takes a really long time to get going, but once it gets going it rolls pretty fast. Except it plateaued for me about two-thirds of the way through, and didn’t pick up again until the very end.

Still, I have to admit that Meyer has branched out (some — I think she’s still writing basically the same story, just a different setting) and is trying to broaden her base. I have to give her credit for that.

Geeky Magazine Meme

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I haven’t geeked in a few weeks, and I figure I’m past due. That, and this week’s geek is something right up my alley:

This week’s Weekly Geeks theme is to talk about the magazines we read. In order to get you started, I prepared a little magazines meme, but feel free to take it further if you want. I also think it’d be great if you displayed images of the covers of your favorite magazines.

I like magazines, but I don’t do book magazines, preferring to get my book recommendations from less lofty sources. I’ll read a magazine about just about everything else. We used to have more subscriptions (to Atlantic Monthly, Smithsonian, and National Geographic among others, including Time which we let lapse because we read it on-line now) but we’ve cut back in recent years. So… the four magazines that I read (not counting the kids magazines or the gossipy Hollywood magazines I do buy on occasion when there’s some good movie news):

Name of magazine: Better Homes and Gardens

Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? I subscribe. I ended up with the subscription when a girl came around selling subscriptions for points so she could earn a trip to wherever, and dumped on me a sob story about being knocked up by her boyfriend who then dumped her which is why she was out selling magazines. I couldn’t find a polite way to say no. (That’s kind of how I ended up with Smithsonian… MADD called with a magazine drive, and I tried to think of an obscure magazine that I actually wanted to read, hoping they wouldn’t have it, but dang it, they did.)

What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? Um… I don’t know. They have started doing this paint thing, where they pick a color and then do all sorts of shades in that color.

What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I have a home and I like to decorate?? Either that, or I’m a sucker who can’t say no.

How long have you been reading this magazine? On and off my whole marriage, so 15 years.

Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? Not really… in fact, I’m letting my subscription lapse because I get too many ideas and then I get depressed because I don’t have the money to do all the things I think of. Better not to get the ideas in the first place.

Name of magazine: Family Fun

Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? Subscribe.

What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? I like the crafts, I like the family traditions that they spotlight, I like the recipes.

What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? I have kids and I like to have fun with them.

How long have you been reading this magazine? I first noticed it when M was little, but I didn’t start subscribing until 5 or 6 years ago.

Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? It’s really heavily Disney- and big-money-vacation oriented, which bugs me to a certain extent. But they really do have fun craft ideas.

Name of magazine: Bon Appetit

Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? I subscribe. It was a gift from my parents. (I chose it over Gourmet, but I have to admit, it was an arbitrary choice…)

What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? I haven’t been reading it long enough to really have a favorite. I do like the pictures of food, though… they have some good photographers working for them.

What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I like to eat. Good food, especially. 🙂

How long have you been reading this magazine? I think my subscription started in April. Or maybe May. Either way, not long.

Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? I don’t know if I’ll keep this one up after my gift subscription runs out. I do like looking at the food, and there have been some helpful cooking tips, but I’m thinking it’s a bit too high end for my family.

Name of magazine: Ensign

Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then? I subscribe.

What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine? It’s a magazine for the members of my church, and so it’s mostly doctrinal and inspirational articles. One of the things I do like, though, are the stories — of miracles, conversions and experiences — sent in by members around the world.

What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you? That I’m a good Mormon. 🙂

How long have you been reading this magazine? 15 years. But I’ve been reading the church magazines (they have ones for kids and teens) my whole life.

Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading? Not really. I read it because I should, but also because it helps my faith, and it gives me ideas and courage and strength to keep going every day. (Granted, I usually only read it on Sundays, but better once a week then never. Right?)