Poetry Works

(always the cons first)
1. Bratty kid who we keep thinking will grow out of it (or his parents will realize they can't let him act like this anymore) -- and each year he's worse (ack).

2. Rain

3. Hail

4. Wet tent and damp bags (sigh) -- and being cold

(pros)

1. kids' laughter :)

2. each of the kids catching at least one fish (in a beautiful, amazingly clear mountain lake)

3. the rainbow which came with the rain (pix tomorrow)

4. time with friends

5. making great memories with our kiddos :)

P.S. And I must say, sitting here nice and clean with a happy (slightly frantic kitty) -- warm (but not too warm) -- is a wonderful ending.

For those of you who happened to Google your title and ended up here, please know that one star is not a bad thing in Robin's world -- just the fact the I picked up your book and started it means that somewhere it's getting good buzz (or that your blurb was really cool). 'R' means it's a re-read. Different colored font means it's an ARC (and I'll try to remember to put the month it's released, as well).

* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.
** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.
*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.
**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- definitely will be reread.
***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite!







Dear Big V, by Ellen Leroe ** This was only okay for me. I liked the format (narrative interspersed with journal entires to her virginity -- thus the title), and I thought the premise was pretty unique. I just didn't quite warm up to the MC -- but we all know that's a taste thing. For a book about a girl trying to get the guy without giving IT up, I think it has something to add to those already in this niche. (YA, releases 9/09)

Daniel X: Watch the Skies, by James Patterson & Ned Rust * Now I know these books are very popular amongst their targeted group (which is definitely not me). I guess it's hard for me to find the pre-teen/early teen boy within ;) (tween, releases 7/09)

Jungle Crossing, by Sidney Salter **+ My favorite part of this was the story within a story (thanks to jenny_moss for encouraging me to look for that when she heard I had this ARC). Salter gives a nice view into Mayan history and culture. (tween, releases 9/09)

Ash, by Malinda Lo **** Beautiful prose, a poignant MC, along with an unusual but touching love story (same-sex) for this Cinderella-style retelling makes this a winner for me! It's a sweet book, by the way, with nothing graphic or stated too strongly -- just lovely. (mid-upper YA, releases 9/09)

Girlfriend Material, by Melissa Kantor ***+ I liked Kate's continued references to Hemingway and how she realizes the complex lives of those around her through her journey in this book -- and the romance was sweet, if a bit predictable. (YA, 5/09)