Why I have this book: It was one of our book club books this year.
Okay, I gave this 4 stars on Goodreads because it really has a great message and is a wonderful story of how we are all God's children and how we can all make a difference in the lives of others. This is a true story written by two of the men who "star" in the book, each of them telling about the experience of growing their unlikely friendship from their own point of view.
Having said that, it also has a very sad component which I wasn't expecting. I'm still getting over that part, and I haven't quite embraced the beauty of the rest of the story yet... but it is there.
This book is clean. I don't think there was even any swearing in it.
Monday, November 6, 2017
Sunday, October 29, 2017
So B. It (Sarah Weeks)
Why I have this book: I bought it on sale a couple of years ago for my Kindle.
I really liked this book. It was different from any story I've read and it's kind of stuck in my mind. I don't really have anything else to say, except that it just had all kinds of different stories within the story, and lots of interesting people. Not all the questions were answered, which is probably why I keep thinking about it. It's not that the story didn't tie up loose ends... it's that life is just sometimes like that.
I don't remember any swear words or anything else that would make this a "not clean" book. There was an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and some other deep subjects. I'd call this book appropriate for upper-elementary and older.
I really liked this book. It was different from any story I've read and it's kind of stuck in my mind. I don't really have anything else to say, except that it just had all kinds of different stories within the story, and lots of interesting people. Not all the questions were answered, which is probably why I keep thinking about it. It's not that the story didn't tie up loose ends... it's that life is just sometimes like that.
I don't remember any swear words or anything else that would make this a "not clean" book. There was an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and some other deep subjects. I'd call this book appropriate for upper-elementary and older.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Skinny Me (Charlene Carr)
Why I have this book: Because I joined Book Bub again for a day or two and ended up with several free books. (Then I came to my senses and unjoined.) This was one of those free books.
It was actually not a terrible read. It fell solidly in the category of "chick lit," and came with some swear words and dumb modern sexual ideas. If those things weren't in it, I'd probably still only give it three stars on Goodreads, because it was definitely an escape book, but not a "feel good" light read. I enjoyed it as far as being able to get into the story — the author has an easy flow to her writing.
The protagonist is not particularly likable, but it was good to see her determination to be a better person.
I deleted this book, though, because it's not really worth keeping.
There were some swear words, including the F word. There was one sexual experience that wasn't described in detail.
It was actually not a terrible read. It fell solidly in the category of "chick lit," and came with some swear words and dumb modern sexual ideas. If those things weren't in it, I'd probably still only give it three stars on Goodreads, because it was definitely an escape book, but not a "feel good" light read. I enjoyed it as far as being able to get into the story — the author has an easy flow to her writing.
The protagonist is not particularly likable, but it was good to see her determination to be a better person.
I deleted this book, though, because it's not really worth keeping.
There were some swear words, including the F word. There was one sexual experience that wasn't described in detail.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Mr. Terupt Falls Again (Rob Buyea)
Why I have this book: My friend recommended it and I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I had started this book after finishing the first in the series, but was turned off by potty humor in the first chapter. I decided to give it another try after my friend told me she read it anyway and ended up enjoying it.
I enjoyed it for the most part, although the things that bugged me the first time still bug me. (Using the f-word that means pass gas... I'm sorry, but I hate that word!) and a few references to dumb potty-type/body part humor. I just don't think we need to lower ourselves to the level where we think kids are in order to write a good book. Why not show them books can be good without having the dumb stuff? I just also hate the part that talks about seeing the principal's underwear. I feel like it's too edgy for this target age group. I actually thought quite a few things weren't really appropriate for the age group that might be drawn to this book.
In any case, the story itself was enjoyable to me if all the stupid stuff was removed. As I sit and think about the things that bugged me, I realize I'm definitely not going to read the third book in the series. It's my silent protest. ;)
I mentioned some of the problems I had with this book that make it not a "clean" book for me. It's juvenile stuff, but it's also unnecessary for the story. Also, it feels weird to me to have a male author talking about periods and breast growth. It wasn't done distastefully (not quite as obsessive as Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret), but where the book would be read by either male or female kids, it just seems odd. I know, I know... boys need to know about periods, too. I'm just not sure this is the "forum" for it.
The author actually references Are You There... and to be honest, I think he tries to be like Judy Blume with some of the things he writes. I tried to read her books again earlier this year (having read them as a pre-adolescent), and found them somewhat disturbing as an parent. I think she encouraged an obsession with periods and breasts and other things. But anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...
I had started this book after finishing the first in the series, but was turned off by potty humor in the first chapter. I decided to give it another try after my friend told me she read it anyway and ended up enjoying it.
I enjoyed it for the most part, although the things that bugged me the first time still bug me. (Using the f-word that means pass gas... I'm sorry, but I hate that word!) and a few references to dumb potty-type/body part humor. I just don't think we need to lower ourselves to the level where we think kids are in order to write a good book. Why not show them books can be good without having the dumb stuff? I just also hate the part that talks about seeing the principal's underwear. I feel like it's too edgy for this target age group. I actually thought quite a few things weren't really appropriate for the age group that might be drawn to this book.
In any case, the story itself was enjoyable to me if all the stupid stuff was removed. As I sit and think about the things that bugged me, I realize I'm definitely not going to read the third book in the series. It's my silent protest. ;)
I mentioned some of the problems I had with this book that make it not a "clean" book for me. It's juvenile stuff, but it's also unnecessary for the story. Also, it feels weird to me to have a male author talking about periods and breast growth. It wasn't done distastefully (not quite as obsessive as Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret), but where the book would be read by either male or female kids, it just seems odd. I know, I know... boys need to know about periods, too. I'm just not sure this is the "forum" for it.
The author actually references Are You There... and to be honest, I think he tries to be like Judy Blume with some of the things he writes. I tried to read her books again earlier this year (having read them as a pre-adolescent), and found them somewhat disturbing as an parent. I think she encouraged an obsession with periods and breasts and other things. But anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Molly's Story: A Dog's Purpose Tale (W. Bruce Cameron)
Why I have this book: I bought it in my son's Scholastic order, mostly because we just got a new puppy and I figured I might as well read about another puppy. :)
I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads, but only because it's written for a younger crowd — maybe 10 and up? I enjoyed it, but I couldn't really give it 4 stars because I have other 4 star books that are better. I think if I was a 5th grader, I'd make this a 5 star book. It's just a good age for this story.
Having said that, I'd read more of these books if I had the chance. It was cute and I'll definitely steer my daughter in this direction when she's a little older, assuming the other books in the series are as clean as this one was.
Clean. There was no swearing, and I don't even recall the Lord's name being used casually.
I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads, but only because it's written for a younger crowd — maybe 10 and up? I enjoyed it, but I couldn't really give it 4 stars because I have other 4 star books that are better. I think if I was a 5th grader, I'd make this a 5 star book. It's just a good age for this story.
Having said that, I'd read more of these books if I had the chance. It was cute and I'll definitely steer my daughter in this direction when she's a little older, assuming the other books in the series are as clean as this one was.
Clean. There was no swearing, and I don't even recall the Lord's name being used casually.
Painting Rain (Annette K. Larsen)
Why I have this book: See previous post. :)
So this one was okay. I guess I'm just trying to finish up the series at this point. It's fine for a light read, but honestly, the men in these books are so unrealistic. They are TOO nice. Nobody (man or woman) is that steady and wonderful all the time. Anyway, that's my opinion. It's like the women in these last few books in this series have to work though all their issues and their love interest just patiently waits while saying all the "right" things all the time.
Anyway, I'll be glad to have the series done. I think I only have one more book and I'm not sure if I'm going to start it now or read a deeper book first. (I know I said that last time, too!)
Clean.
So this one was okay. I guess I'm just trying to finish up the series at this point. It's fine for a light read, but honestly, the men in these books are so unrealistic. They are TOO nice. Nobody (man or woman) is that steady and wonderful all the time. Anyway, that's my opinion. It's like the women in these last few books in this series have to work though all their issues and their love interest just patiently waits while saying all the "right" things all the time.
Anyway, I'll be glad to have the series done. I think I only have one more book and I'm not sure if I'm going to start it now or read a deeper book first. (I know I said that last time, too!)
Clean.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Saving Marilee (Annette K. Larsen)
Why I have this book: I enjoyed the first book in this series, and discovered that the rest were on sale for .99 a few weeks ago, so I bought them. (The last one in the series was $1.99, but I bought it anyway.)
So far, the first book has been the best by far, but the others are enjoyable. I gave this one 3 stars on Goodreads. I didn't love the protagonist, and the love interest was too good to be true, considering the drama that occurred here and there. The author tends to overuse phrases. (In this book, there were several "He pulled his chin back" type descriptions. I'm not even sure what that means.) There also needed to be more editing in general. It was a bit corny in parts, but overall, it was a decent read for a light escape.
I have two more books in the series, but I'm not overly anxious to get to them. I might need to read something with more substance first.
Clean.
So far, the first book has been the best by far, but the others are enjoyable. I gave this one 3 stars on Goodreads. I didn't love the protagonist, and the love interest was too good to be true, considering the drama that occurred here and there. The author tends to overuse phrases. (In this book, there were several "He pulled his chin back" type descriptions. I'm not even sure what that means.) There also needed to be more editing in general. It was a bit corny in parts, but overall, it was a decent read for a light escape.
I have two more books in the series, but I'm not overly anxious to get to them. I might need to read something with more substance first.
Clean.
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