Mars needs Moms

I am an emotional mama. I have cried reading books like Munsch's Love you Forever and DePaola's The Art Lesson. But getting teary eyed at Mars needs Moms doesn’t seem justified. However, I am here to admit that this book by Berkeley Breathed was an emotional ride. It might be because the pictures were drawn so beautifully. It could be the fact that the main character is the same age as my son and shares the same disdain for vegetables. But most likely it is that the author beautifully captures the love a boy has for his mother. This is one of those books that adults and kids can appreciate. Kids will love the plot which involves an exciting mom kidnapping and space ride. Adults will appreciate how the author finds the inherent beauty in haggard worn-out mommies who are “broccoli bullies”, “summer stealing, perfumy garden goblins” who don’t think “sister tinting” is very funny. Since I am one of those mommies, I loved the book. You can order a copy of this through the library. Stop by and find out how.

Teen Idol

Meg Cabot is probably one of the most popular writers for teenage girls right now. It was because of this that I picked up a copy of Teen Idol. The story begins with the narrator Jenny, a girl who nearly everyone likes. Because of this fact, she ends up being chosen to be the student guide for the dreamy and famous Luke Stryker, a superstar teenage heartthrob who has decided to research a role undercover at Jenny's own high school. But what happens next begins with a lesson in empathy and ends with Jenny and Luke at the spring fling dance. Want to read more? Pick up this title at the Lena Library.

Midwives

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian is the story of a woman who delivers babies in rural Vermont. But when she becomes trapped in an ice storm with a woman who dies in childbirth, she has to make the decision on whether or not to save the baby by performing a C-section on the woman she believes had died a few minutes before. But was the laboring mother really dead when the C-section was performed? This is the question the state is asking when they put her on trial for involuntary manslaughter. The story follows the case and the verdict, leaving the reader wondering if there really is such a clear cut line between guilt and innocence. If you missed the bookclub, stop by the library. You can still obtain a copy of the book.

Twinkie, Deconstructed

Twinkie, Deconstructed by Steve Ettlinger is just that. The origins of every ingredient in a Twinkie, laid out chapter by chapter. Why, you ask, would I choose to pick up this book, when I can remain blissfully ignorant of what I’m consuming? Mostly because I’m tired of wasting my Weight Watchers points on a spongy cake that is even more appealing to me now that it is green (in honor of the Shrek movies). Perhaps I’m simply jaded, but I expected that the book present more disgusting scenarios than it actually did. I wanted to read that my Twinkie is actually comprised of the same stuff they tell you hot dogs are made of. I wanted the ingredients to be swept off the floor, mixed into a cup of lead based paint and chewed up and spit out by one of the plant employees. But I was disappointed. The book to me read like one long chemistry lesson, and was so boring that I really could’ve polished off an entire box of green Twinkies while I read. So, even though the hold list for this book is quite long, I wouldn’t be too disappointed. While you wait you can enjoy all the spongy goodness you want, and not feel guilty about it at all.

The Secret

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is one of the hottest books in the library system right now. After being on the waiting list for some time, I was finally able to get a copy to find out what all the hype is about. The Secret is a book about just that—a secret that thousands of successful people have known about throughout history. A very simple concept—the secret says that if you think something will happen—it will. It all surrounds the use of energy that we emit every day. Our energy manipulates things around us and what we send out impacts what actually happens. The book is filled with examples on how this can work for a person. Although I am all for the power of positive thinking, I did think this book got a little hokey sometimes. Especially one of the contributors who swore that he wished for his bills to turn into checks and soon enough they ACTUALLY DID! But in the case I was being too skeptical, I tried it out for myself. I was rushing to work one afternoon, and the car ahead of me was doing about 15 miles under the speed limit. I sent out hopeful energy waves that when we came to an intersection that he would turn the opposite direction. Lo and behold, he did. So, judge for yourself if this secret actually is worth having. You can pick up a copy at the library to make sure!

Eragon

It took me a very long time, but I finally finished reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I got to enjoy this story in a variety of formats—book, audiobook and the most recently released movie adaptation. I thought all of them were fairly well done, despite some of the poor reviews that the movie received. For those who may have absolutely no idea of what I am talking about, Eragon has been one of the hottest books for young adults for a very long time now. It is the story of a boy who discovers an egg when he is out hunting. It turns out the egg contains a dragon, who hatches. But dragons do not hatch for just anyone, and Eragon soon finds out that he is destined to be a dragon rider. Dragon riders have been extinct for ages, and Eragon quickly becomes the people’s last hope to defeat the corrupt king and his minions. Eragon can be picked up at the Lena library in both book and audiobook format, along with Paolini’s second book in the series, Eldest. The movie can also be ordered via infosoup.

Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is one of those books you just can’t categorize. It is sci-fi in the sense that Henry can travel through time. It is a romance in that it focuses on the developing relationship with his future wife Clare. It is a suspense novel because you are constantly anxious over Henry’s well being and potential demise. It is an overall great book because Henry is referred to as a “hip librarian”. But in all seriousness, this is probably one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. If it sounds intriguing, stop by the library to pick up your copy. We have it both in print and in audio format.

Flotsam

I am sad to report that the only book I’ve read this week is one that doesn’t even have words in it. Flotsam by David Wiesner is the illustrated story of a boy who finds a camera washed up on the beach. Inside the camera is a roll of film that he promptly has developed. The pictures he develops are strange and fantastic ranging from tiny underwater aliens to an octopus in a comfortable armchair. The last picture is of a young girl holding up a picture of another child who holds up a picture of another child on and on, back through time when film was only available in black and white. The child on the beach decides to follow through with this tradition and eventually tosses the camera back into the water for another person to find. This wonderfully unusual children’s book can be checked out at the Lena Public Library. Stop by and get your copy.

Piratapedia

I’ve been getting into pirates lately because a. my son has a great reverence for them and b. I’ve finally been able to watch the Pirates of the Caribbean movies all the way through. Because of this, I decided to pick up the book Piratepedia by Alisha Niehaus. The book is a pictorial history of pirates throughout the ages. Although it is geared toward the younger crowd, I found myself learning things I never knew before about pirates and pirating. My favorite sections of the book were about the tough women pirates that ruled the seas, and the outstanding illustrations that accompanied all of the stories. If this sounds like something of interest, Piratapedia can be ordered via infosoup. Stop by to learn how to use this online catalog!

Leigh by Lynn Cote

Historical Christian fiction could possibly be the most popular genre of fiction right now. Lynn Cote is one of the more notable authors in this arena, and just recently released a series of books that have characters spanning from 1920s to recent times. The book I chose to read took place in the tumultuous late 60s/early 70s. The title of the book, Leigh, is named for the main character that comes of age during this time period. Although part of a series, the book’s plot does stand alone for those who may not want to read the others. The main character experiences things ranging from seeing Martin Luther King Jr. speak to being a part of anti-war protests to seeing one of her best friends become caught up in the drug culture of the times. The historical aspects of the book sometimes felt contrived, but the story itself was very interesting with twists you would not necessarily expect. You can pick up a copy of the book or audio book at the Lena Public Library.