Monday, September 27, 2010

The House on Tradd Street by Karen White

The House on Tradd Street View a preview of this book online

The House on Tradd Street

A brilliant, chilling series debut, featuring a Charleston real estate agent who loves old houses - and the secret histories inside them.

Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she's going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he's the smitten one...

It turns out Jack's search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak and even murder.
 
My thoughts;
The was a wonderful book. It's a great ghost story, I loved all the characters, and I enjoyed reading about Charleston and the renovation of the historic homes. I am definitely go to read the sequel to this book because I want to know what happens to these characters.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Jeannette Walls -- The Glass Castle -- Book Video

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle View a preview of this book online

The Glass Castle

4.13 of 5 stars4.13 of 5 stars4.13 of 5 stars4.13 of 5 stars4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · This is from the Goodreads site;
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

My Review;

** spoiler alert ** I could not put this book down once I started to read it, I read it in one day. It is a memoir and I couldn't believe how this woman and her sibling were raised, often going without food, shelter, clothing, always on the move getting away from bill collectors and the demons that were always chasing her alcoholic father and bohemian mother. The author does not whine about all the hardships of her childhood, but instead talks about it all as if they were constantly on adventures! Her parents are both brilliant, artistic, nature loving, creative and selfish individuals.

They profess fiercely their love for their children but at the same time they neglect them horribly, not feeding them for days at a time, not providing shelter, clothes, protection and at the same time they teach them about art and the world around them.

I cannot tell you how deeply this book affected me there were times when I found myself inwardly yelling at the parents in disgust at some of their actions and admiring them at other times for some of the things they taught their children.

I recommend this book to everyone and I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Book I just finished reading

The Summoning (Darkest Powers, #1)The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I LOVED this book, it was very exciting and I really, really liked the characters they were very well developed and the story just moves so quickly and yet you feel as if you know all these kids, Derek is my favorite, I also love Chloe and of course, sweet Liz. There are some great twists in this story as well and I cannot wait until this Friday, payday, when I can pick up the second book in this series! Also I love the cover on this book, the red of the stone matching the red of her lips, very clever!

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up—A well-written opening to a paranormal series. Chloe, 15, has the ability to see dead people, but before she can figure out what is happening, she has a breakdown, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and placed in a group home. She befriends some of the teens at Lyle House and tries to accept her treatment. However, two of her more mysterious housemates suggest that maybe she isn't crazy. Derek tells her to look up necromancy on the Internet, and she finds out that it's the ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead. He appears to have superstrength, and his foster brother has magical powers. Chloe's roommate, who causes things to fly around the room when she becomes angry, is taken away to a hospital and never heard from again. When she returns in Chloe's visions, Chloe suspects foul play, a misgiving confirmed when the dead speak to her again and reveal that they were "supernaturals" who were experimented on, killed, and buried in the home's basement many years before. Together with her new friends, Chloe escapes Lyle House, only to be betrayed. This suspenseful novel sets up a secret underworld where some people support and help supernaturals, while others persecute them. Armstrong combines bits of horror, teen relationships, and a dash of mystery to create a page-turner. Readers will look forward to the next installment.—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library
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