Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My Scrumptious Scottish Dumplings by Cherry Whytock


My Scrumptious Scottish Dumplings: The Life of Angelica Cookson Potts
by Cherry Whytock
Genre: Comedy
Published: 2003
Hardback: 169 pages
Rating: 4

Inspiration: While browsing at the library I picked this book up because of the title - Scotland is a place I've always wanted to visit.

Description from amazon.com:
In this follow-up to My Cup Runneth Over (2003), Angel's tribulations--to be interpreted loosely, as she lives in posh Knightsbridge, goes to fancy spas, and has a live-in cook and gardener--stem not from her physique ("a wee bit stout"), but from her Scottish father's eccentricity. When Dad accuses Harrods of selling a substandard version of haggis, the department store bans the family from shopping there. It's an unendurable situation that requires aid from all of Angel's friends--and even one of her enemies--to resolve. The silliness here is even more rampant than in Angel's debut, but it's refreshing to see a series about a robustly proportioned teenage girl that focuses on more than body image and boys. Food, however, is still of central importance to aspiring chef Angel, and more of her favorite recipes (mercifully, haggis isn't among them) are scattered throughout.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Haggis (don't know what it looks or tastes like, but it's fun to say)
I didn't realize that this is actually book 2 of a series. No worries though because this book works as a stand-alone. This was a fast and cute read. The writing style reminded me of Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicolson series. Stream-of-consciousness. The cuteness is in the line drawings incorporated throughout. Funny and fun images! Oh, and because the main character is into food and possibly becoming a chef, recipes of delicious treats are included in most chapters. I'm going to try the Mud Pie. yum!

-->> the blurb pointing at the Angela character says "why do I always grab my bottom when I'm surprised?" hee-hee

Coinkydink: The Angela character is also a fan of the Naked Chef - Jamie Oliver! He's my fave all-time chef too!

Series:
My Cup Runneth Over
My Scrumptious Scottish Dumplings
My Saucy Stuffed Ravioli


Monday, May 4, 2009

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly


A Northern Light
by Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Historical
Published: 2003
Paperback: 396 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: Operation Retirement Rescue, also wanted to read it because it is a Winner of the Carnegie Medal, the L.A. Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Prize, and a Michael L. Printz Honor

Description from book:
In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story.

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Joybodenous (feeling scared of what's to come but eager for it, too - Mattie's made-up word)

Great book! It's like Little House on the Prairie meets mystery novel. The main character, Mattie, wants to be a writer so in her telling of her tale you get glimpses of a writer's mind. Being the reader that I am, it is always interesting to see what writer's see.

The descriptions of the times and the different people of the times are told well. You get snapshots of different lives during the early 1900's from farmer, school teacher, lumberjack, hotel staff, etc. Also, issues of classism, racism and feminism come into play.

I enjoyed the details of daily living during those times. I could relate to Mattie's love of fiddlehead ferns and the beauty of nature.

Definitely, a must-read.

Funny part (page 322): Fran grinned. "Never make love in the country, Matt. 'Cuz the potatoes have eyes..." "...and the corn has ears," Ada finished giggling.

FYI: British title is A Gathering Light

Sunday, May 3, 2009

In My Mailbox - 4


In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via your mailbox, library, store, etc.

You can find out more information on how to setup your own In My Mailbox here. Make sure and add yourself to The Story Siren's Mr. Linky to share the books you've recently received.

Below is a list of books I've acquired this past week. Can't wait to dip into them.

Bought:


Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

-because of the author love shown on The Story Siren's IMM-23 and because the author was sweet enough to give a vlog shout out to Reviewer X








The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

-because of the title. although this is not categorized as YA, one of its main characters is an inconspicuous super-smart 12 yr old








PaperBackSwap:


Lucky by Rachel Vail

-because of the cute premise of luck and luck running out









Secrets of My Hollywood Life on Location by Jen Calonita

-because i wanted to peek into hollywood life. although this is a sequel so i may have to read book 1 first.







Borrowed:


Chicks with Stick (It's a purl thing) by Elizabeth Lenhard

-because i'm currently in the knitting mode










Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

-because i wanted to read another Caletti after enjoying the Fortunes of Indigo Skye









Hopeless Savages v.1 by Jen Van Meter, Christine Norrie and Chynna Clugston-Major

-because it looks like a fun punk rock graphic novel

My book review






Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

-because i like the review from Persnickety Snark's YA podcast

My book review







Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

-because the author was part of the Body Image Week

My book review






Saturday, May 2, 2009

One Lovely Blog Award


Exciting news!

I received my first blog award!

The One Lovely Blog Award was passed to me from Jen at 50 for Jen. Thanks soooo much!






Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I bestow this Lovely Award to (alpha order by site):

1. Twyla, Gabriel and Briar of 3 evil cousins
-check out their entertaining and creative bios with great artwork under the heading ". . . As Our Evil spreads. . . MWAH HA HA HA!" on their sidebar

2. Amy of Addicted to Books
-for oldies but goodies

3. Rose of Another Great Read
-for fantasy and paranormal

4. Susan of Black-Eyed Susan
-for ethnic diversty

5. cupcake witch
-for the cupcakes of course!

6. E.M. of E.M. Reads
-her general antics

7. Callie of Handle Like Hendrix
-the rock music influence

8. Michelle of Michelle's Bookshelf
-got me to read a Jennifer Echols book with her review of Going to Far

9. Michelle of Michelle's Reads
-for the Love the Cover posts

10. Shalonda of Shalonda's Blog
-for IMM posts and the latest post on Judy Blume

11. Megan of Simply Books
-one of the first blogs I came across that caught my attention

12. Sophie of So Many Books, So Little Time
-for IMM posts (with U.K. covers)

13. Lianne of Thoughts on YA literature
-vampires and for interview with Beth Fantaskey

14. Krista of Tower of Books
-for IMM posts and manga

15. Jessica of Vita Dei
-phantom week at her blog

Please note: I keep discovering more and more YA blogs out there that I enjoy visiting. I tried to select recent sites I've been too that don't already have this lovely award.
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updated: 5.4.09
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Scott Pilgrim Versus The World v.2 by Bryan Lee O'Malley


Scott Pilgrim Versus The World v.2
by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Genre: Graphic Novel, Comedy, Action, Romance
Published: 2004
Paperback: 200 pages
Rating: 5

Inspiration: After reading v.1 which I liked, I wanted to give v.2 a read.

Description from amazon.com:
Does Scott and Ramona's burgeoning relationship have a future? Isn't Scott still supposedly dating Knives Chau? Who is Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, and why is he in Toronto? Who are The Clash At Demonhead, and what kind of bizarre art-punky music do they play? Who's their hot girl keyboardist, and what is Scott's relation to her? Why are they Knives Chau's new favourite band? Fights! Drama! Secrets revealed! The answers to all these questions and more!

My thoughts:
In-a-word: Heartbreaker
The world of Scott continues with some backstory in this book. We get to see some ex-girlfriends and their view of Scott. I love all the characters in this series and how they all have snarkiness in them.

Series:
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life (v.1)
Scott Pilgrim Versus The World (v.2)

Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness (v.3)
Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together (v.4)
Scott Pilgrim vs The Universe (v.5)
Scott Pilgrim v.6 (release: 2010?)

 
Imagination Designs
Images from: Lovelytocu