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ARCHIVE 2016 > Melissa (ladybug)'s 2016 Challenge

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message 1: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:56AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments January created by animated-gifs.eu

№ 01. Cat and MouseGünter Grass » 03 Jan 2016
№ 02. SonLois Lowry » ♥ 06 Jan 2016
№ 03. Hot ChocolateAlice Castle » 08 Jan 2016
№ 04. Holidays on IceDavid Sedaris » 08 Jan 2016
№ 05. Glinda of OzL. Frank Baum » 09 Jan 2016
№ 06. The Voice That Challenged a NationRussell Freedman » 10 Jan 2016
№ 07. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone GapWendy Welch » 10 Jan 2016
№ 08. The Coal ElfMaria DeVivo » 10 Jan 2016
№ 09. One Crazy SummerRita Williams-Garcia » 11 Jan 2016
№ 10. An American PlagueJim Murphy » 13 Jan 2016
№ 11. Hollow CityRansom Riggs » ♥ 16 Jan 2016
№ 12. The NightingaleKristin Hannah » ♥ 16 Jan 2016
№ 13. Black & BlueEmma Jameson » 17 Jan 2016
№ 14. Splendors and GloomsLaura Amy Schlitz » ♥ 19 Jan 2016
№ 15. The Angel ExperimentJames Patterson » ♥ 20 Jan 2016
№ 16. Escape of the KILLER NounKimberly Garcia » 21 Jan 2016
№ 17. Mew is for MurderClea Simon » 23 Jan 2016
№ 18. Forgetting TabithaJulie Dewey » 24 Jan 2016
№ 19. Good, Clean, MurderTraci Tyne Hilton » ♥ 25 Jan 2016
№ 20. DragonsingerAnne McCaffrey » 25 Jan 2016
№ 21. Picking Apples And PumpkinsAmy Hutchings » 27 Jan 2016
№ 22. StargirlJerry Spinelli » 28 Jan 2016
№ 23. Snow CrashNeal Stephenson » ♥ 30 Jan 2016
№ 24. The SilkwormRobert Galbraith » ♥ 31 Jan 2016


message 2: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Good luck with your challenge!


message 3: by Jackie B. - (new)

Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku (reiwing2040) | 1343 comments Welcome back, Melissa! I love the idea of a monthly summary, for sure. Good luck with your challenge.


message 4: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 25, 2016 03:08PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 01: Cat and Mouse by Günter Grass
Read: 3 Jan 2016
Pages: 192
Edition: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★☆
"Cat and Mouse is the second book in Grass' Danzig Trilogy, three books that look at life in Danzig under the Nazi regime from three different points of view." It is also on the 1001 books before you die list.

It is the first book I have read in the series and I will be reading The Tin Drum (1st book in series) next.

I would rate this book NC17 if it was a movie, because of the graphic descriptions of body parts and sexuality. :) I also didn't like the descriptions of chewing gull droppings, but it was an interesting read and it let me see the German/Polish people from a different perspective. The perspective of the youth growing up during that time, (Nazi Poland during the 1940s) who didn't really have many choices.

It is written by a narrator about his friend Mahlke and how Mahlke tried to make something of his life and how it was wasted. Mahlke did many things he didn't want to do to be accepted and isn't that the way it is in the world (even today) for teen boys?


message 5: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 10, 2016 05:26PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 02: Son by Lois Lowry
Read: 6 Jan 2016
Pages: 405
Edition: Audio Book
Rating: ★★★☆☆

"They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice."
I liked visiting this world again. To find out what happened to Gabe and Jonas made the book worth the read for me (I haven't read Messenger so don't know if they were mentioned). I could not connect with Claire and there were so many obvious plot holes. All that said, it was a bit of a slog to me. I became bored and found myself wishing it would just end. I read this as an audio so that may have been a part of my problem. O_o?


message 6: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 25, 2016 03:08PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 03: Hot Chocolate by Alice Castle
Read: 8 Jan 2016
Pages: 290
Edition: Kindle
Rating: ★★★★☆

"Bella Renfrew has the perfect life - gorgeous children, handsome husband Tom, fantastic job. She's bubbly, warm and everybody loves her. So why does she need so much chocolate?"
I enjoyed this book. Bella has a problem. She is literally addicted to chocolate and has a tendency to run from her problems. This book shows how she persevered, finally stopped running and finally learned how to be happy.


message 7: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 10, 2016 05:26PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 04: Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Read: 8 Jan 2016
Pages: 177
Edition: Audio
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

"David Sedaris's holiday collection is new again with six more pieces, including a never before published story."
This book was capital "A"ppalling. Except for "SantaLand Diaries" which was somewhat OK, they all were pretty gross, abusive, often offensive and even horrific at times. Sedaris relied on shock value to carry his "humor" but there was no humor in this book that I could see. This happened to be the second book of his I have tried to read and I had the same reaction to the first one. I think I will give up on him and his comedy.


message 8: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Apr 15, 2016 03:19PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 05: Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Read: 9 Jan 2016
Pages: 237
Edition: Kindle
Rating: ★★★☆☆

"Book 14 of L. Frank Baum's immortal OZ series, in which Ozma and Dorothy travel to an enchanted island to prevent an impending battle between the Skeezers and the Flatheads, but are instead imprisoned in the city just before the island is submerged."
I enjoyed seeing Ozma being more involved in the story, but I must be getting too old for this series. I loved it as a child but my re-read of it has been something of a let down. I found it somewhat cheesy and somewhat naive. There is also somewhat of a plot hole in this book. In this book, Ozma rules because she is a fairy that was made ruler by the fairy queen, but in an earlier book she was the daughter of the king and was enchanted.
:(


message 9: by Jackie B. - (new)

Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku (reiwing2040) | 1343 comments Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "This happened to be the second book of his I have tried to read and I had the same reaction to the first one. I think I will give up on him and his comedy."

I completely agree with you, Melissa. I read one book and listened to an audiobook for another. In both cases, I felt like I couldn't connect to his humor. To each their own!


message 10: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 25, 2016 03:03PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 06:The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch
Read: 10 Jan 2016
Pages: 291
Edition: Hardback
Rating: ★★★★☆

"Wendy Welch and her husband had always dreamed of owning a bookstore... They chose to ignore the “death of the book,” the closing of bookstores across the nation, and the difficult economic environment, and six years later they have carved a bookstore—and a life—out of an Appalachian mountain community."
I loved this book. I am a book lover and have always wanted my own bookstore/library. I have never had the chance to go for this dream, but the Welch's did. They saw it and ran with it. They didn't let the problems stop them and believe me there were problems. I was reading a borrowed book, so I couldn't underline passages that "spoke" to me, but I plan on buying a copy of this book so I can mark it up as I re-read it.


message 11: by Jackie B. - (new)

Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku (reiwing2040) | 1343 comments I've never heard of this book-- but it sounds adorable! I've added it to my TBR. Thanks for the positive review, Melissa.


message 12: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Feb 02, 2016 06:26PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments :) I am glad you liked it. The book is really worth it, at least in my humble opinion.


message 13: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Feb 02, 2016 06:40PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 07. The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson... by Russell Freedman
Read: 10 Jan 2016
Edition: Audio Book
Rating: ★★★☆☆

"This insightful account of the great African American vocalist considers her life and musical career in the context of the history of civil rights in this country."
This could have been a better book. It ended up being boring and I found it hard to follow along. I listen to books at work, and this book make it hard for me to not fall asleep. I am unable to remember much of anything. The three stars are for the fact it was about an important historical figure who fought for her rights as a human being.


message 14: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Feb 02, 2016 06:58PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 08. The Coal Elf by Maria DeVivo
Read: 10 Jan 2016
Pages: 210
Edition: Kindle
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

"Ember is thrust into a journey that will see her confront the literal and figurative demons of her past and lead her to the head of the North Pole himself.

Yes! Santa is real. But this isn't your childhood Christmas tale"
They sure got that correct. It isn't a Christmas Tale.

I Liked it at first, but then the tapeworms, sexual assault, cannibalism and abuse of all kinds made me mad. This is a book for preteens and YA? I wouldn't let my children read this book (although I don't believe in Santa Claus) because of the making Santa Claus a sick person!

Santa has enslaved Elves and the Elves worship him. He decides what their jobs will be when they are somewhere around 10-12 yrs. old. Ember ends up being the first female elf ever to be assigned as a coal miner elf. She has to live in the caves for the rest of her life until she dies. If she tries to leave the caves, she will be tortured to death by her groups supervisor who also hates female elves and likes to eat other elves. The story starts when she is 16 and has been living this awful life. Where she can only hope she dies soon.

This story was awful and more of a horror story with a cannibalistic Elf and horrible lives where Santa is worshiped like he is a god and can do absolutely no wrong. I didn't like it, but finished it for a challenge. Otherwise it would have gone in my dnf pile.


message 15: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Mar 10, 2016 09:03AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 09. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Read: 11 Jan 2016
Edition: Audio Book
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

“I didn’t want to say Big Ma was right. Cecile was no kind of mother. Cecile didn’t want us. Cecile was crazy. I didn’t have to.”
One Crazy Summer is about three sisters, Delphin (11), Vonetta (9) and Fern (7), who travel from Brooklyn to San Francisco in 1968 for the summer to visit their mother.

Cecile abandoned them when they were babies because she wasn't permitted to name her youngest daughter. She did get to name the older two but because she couldn't name the youngest what she wanted it was like: oh no, I can't name the youngest what I want, so I will just up and leave them and have nothing whatsoever to do with them. I don't want the responsibility.

Cecile, in my opinion isn't much of a mother or much of a character you can sympathize with. She pretty much leaves the girls to their own devices while she is busy working for the Black Panthers. She wants nothing to do with them and enrolls them in a summer camp run by the Black Panthers. She can't be bothered to even feed them. It is up to them to buy their own food or scrounge it up somewhere. All of these, I feel, obscures one of the messages of how African Americans were treated in the 60s.


message 16: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Mar 09, 2016 10:46AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 10. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
Read: 13 Jan 2016
Edition: Audio Book
Rating: ★★★☆☆

“Sometimes...I lose myself in looking back upon the ocean which I have passed, and now and then find myself surprised by a tear in reflecting upon the friends I have lost, and the scenes of distress that I have witnessed, and which I was unable to relieve.

—Dr. Benjamin Rush”
Would have rated it higher, maybe, if I had read it in a book instead of audio. This book was not made to be listened to; at least not by me. I couldn't keep my mind on it and it was just noise in my ears. :( Will re-read one of these days, the book version, and see how it goes then.


message 17: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:56AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments February by picasaweb.google.com

№ 25. Calico CaptiveElizabeth George Speare » 03 Feb 2016
№ 26. The Prayer BoxLisa Wingate » ♥ 04 Feb 2016
№ 27. A Monster CallsPatrick Ness » 06 Feb 2016
№ 28. All the Bright PlacesJennifer Niven » ♥ 06 Feb 2016
№ 29. Round RobinJennifer Chiaverini » 06 Feb 2016
№ 30. Five of Us and MadelineE. Nesbit » 07 Feb 2016
№ 31. Time Travel Adventures of the 1800 ClubRobert McAuley » 09 Feb 2016
№ 32. The ABC BunnyWanda Gág » 10 Feb 2016
№ 33. Harry the Dirty DogGene Zion » 10 Feb 2016
№ 34. The Giving TreeShel Silverstein » 10 Feb 2016
№ 35. SwimmyLeo Lionni » 10 Feb 2016
№ 36. Guess How Much I Love YouSam McBratney » 10 Feb 2016
№ 37. Make Way for DucklingsRobert McCloskey » 10 Feb 2016
№ 38. ElmerDavid McKee » 10 Feb 2016
№ 39. Love You ForeverRobert Munsch » 10 Feb 2016
№ 40. Zen ShortsJon J. Muth » 10 Feb 2016
№ 41. If You Give a Mouse a CookieLaura Joffe Numeroff » 10 Feb 2016
№ 42. The Blue VelvetKathleen Andrews Davis » 11 Feb 2016
№ 43. CourageousRandy Alcorn » ♥ 12 Feb 2016
№ 44. The Cross-Country QuiltersJennifer Chiaverini » ♥ 13 Feb 2016
№ 45. Return to PromiseDebbie Macomber » 14 Feb 2016
№ 46. UprootedNaomi Novik » ♥ 18 Feb 2016
№ 47. Math CurseJon Scieszka » 18 Feb 2016
№ 48. In the Night KitchenMaurice Sendak » 18 Feb 2016
№ 49. MadlenkaPeter Sís » 18 Feb 2016
№ 50. Caps for SaleEsphyr Slobodkina » 18 Feb 2016
№ 51. Amos & BorisWilliam Steig » 18 Feb 2016
№ 52. Little Red Lighthouse & Great Gray BridgeHildegarde Hoyt Swift » 18 Feb 2016
№ 53. EloiseKay Thompson » 18 Feb 2016
№ 54. Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?Martin Waddell » 18 Feb 2016
№ 55. Owl BabiesMartin Waddell » 18 Feb 2016
№ 56. Owl MoonJane Yolen » 18 Feb 2016
№ 57. Where the Wild Things AreMaurice Sendak » 18 Feb 2016
№ 58. Strega NonaTomie dePaola » 18 Feb 2016
№ 59. The Lost HeroRick Riordan » ✩ 19 Feb 2016
№ 60. Abel's IslandWilliam Steig » 20 Feb 2016
№ 61. Tar BeachFaith Ringgold » 21 Feb 2016
№ 62. Curious GeorgeH.A. Rey » 21 Feb 2016
№ 63. The Little Engine That CouldWatty Piper » 21 Feb 2016
№ 64. Skippyjon JonesJudy Schachner » 21 Feb 2016
№ 65. The Keeping QuiltPatricia Polacco » 21 Feb 2016
№ 66. We're Going on a Bear HuntMichael Rosen » 21 Feb 2016
№ 67. The Paper Bag PrincessRobert Munsch » 21 Feb 2016
№ 68. Trigger WarningNeil Gaiman » ♥ 22 Feb 2016
№ 69. The Dorito EffectMark Schatzker » 25 Feb 2016
№ 70. Last Stop on Market StreetMatt de la Pena » 25 Feb 2016
№ 71. Chicka Chicka Boom BoomBill Martin Jr. » 25 Feb 2016
№ 72. Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryRoald Dahl » 25 Feb 2016
№ 73. Go Set a WatchmanHarper Lee » 27 Feb 2016
№ 74. Percy Jackson's Greek GodsRick Riordan » 27 Feb 2016
№ 75. Hattie Big SkyKirby Larson » 28 Feb 2016
№ 76. Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in ToylandBill Willingham » 29 Feb 2016
№ 77. ArmadaErnest Cline » ♥ 29 Feb 2016
№ 78. The True Story of the 3 Little PigsJon Scieszka » 29 Feb 2016
№ 79. The Pied PiperRobert Browning » 29 Feb 2016
№ 80. The Day the Babies Crawled AwayPeggy Rathmann » 29 Feb 2016
№ 81. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary TaleMo Willems » 29 Feb 2016
№ 82. Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from ChinaEd Young » 29 Feb 2016
№ 83. Mufaro's Beautiful DaughtersJohn Steptoe » 29 Feb 2016
№ 84. The People Could FlyVirginia Hamilton » 29 Feb 2016
№ 85. The Stinky Cheese ManJon Scieszka » 29 Feb 2016
№ 86. Stone SoupMarcia Brown » 29 Feb 2016


message 18: by Jackie B. - (new)

Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku (reiwing2040) | 1343 comments Wow! You've been making great progress, Melissa! What was your favorite book you read in January?


message 19: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Feb 10, 2016 12:02PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments Thanks :) I actually had four different "favorites" but I loved №. 06 the most (I think) :)

№. 06. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap
№. 11. Hollow City
№. 12. The Nightingale
№. 13. Black & Blue


message 20: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:56AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments March created by gograph.com

№ 87. Sylvester and the Magic PebbleWilliam Steig » 02 Mar 2016
№ 88. Furies of CalderonJim Butcher » ✩ 04 Mar 2016
№ 89. Fox in SocksDr. Seuss » 07 Mar 2016
№ 90. What Pet Should I Get?Dr. Seuss » 07 Mar 2016
№ 91. Career of EvilRobert Galbraith » ✩ 10 Mar 2016
№ 92. FiregirlTony Abbott » 10 Mar 2016
№ 93. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?Mindy Kaling » 13 Mar 2016
№ 94. A Monster's ParadiseA.W. Hartoin » ♥ 13 Mar 2016
№ 95. A Corner of the UniverseAnn M. Martin » 14 Mar 2016
№ 96. Oceans of FireChristine Feehan » ♥ 15 Mar 2016
№ 97. Spare Ribs, Secrets and a ScandalSherri Bryan » 16 Mar 2016
№ 98. Though None Go with MeJerry B. Jenkins » 16 Mar 2016
№ 99. God's SmugglerBrother Andrew » 17 Mar 2016
№ 100. On Tennis: Five EssaysDavid Foster Wallace » 18 Mar 2016
№ 101. I Am the MessengerMarkus Zusak » ♥ 20 Mar 2016
№ 102. The House That Jack BuiltPaul Galdone » 21 Mar 2016
№ 103. Astro Boy, Vol. 1Osamu Tezuka » 21 Mar 2016
№ 104. Mike Mulligan & His Steam ShovelVirginia Lee Burton » 3/24/16
№ 105. The Little HouseVirginia Lee Burton » 24 Mar 2016
№ 106. The Warrior HeirCinda Williams Chima » 25 Mar 2016
№ 107. Katy and the Big SnowVirginia Lee Burton » 26 Mar 2016
№ 108. Maybelle the Cable CarVirginia Lee Burton » 26 Mar 2016
№ 109. When We Were Very YoungA.A. Milne » 26 Mar 2016
№ 110. The People Could FlyVirginia Hamilton » 26 Mar 2016
№ 111. Finn Family MoomintrollTove Jansson » 26 Mar 2016
№ 112. Like Water for ChocolateLaura Esquivel » 26 Mar 2016
№ 113. Knit TwoKate Jacobs » 29 Mar 2016
№ 114. Museum of Extraordinary ThingsAlice Hoffman » ♥ 30 Mar 2016
№ 115. Hand, Hand, Fingers, ThumbAl Perkins » 31 Mar 2016
№ 116. Brother Sun, Sister MoonKatherine Paterson » 31 Mar 2016
№ 117. My Father's EarsKaren Goa » 31 Mar 2016


message 21: by Cassandra (new)

Cassandra | 5832 comments I love the images for the month names! They're beautiful and it makes it easy to scan for how many books you've read each month.

Great job with you reading. Any standout books?


message 22: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Mar 10, 2016 08:26AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments I have to say for the month of February, I really loved Hattie Big Sky. It is one that I recommended to my mom. :) Thank you!


message 23: by Cassandra (new)

Cassandra | 5832 comments That's great! It looks like a good book.


message 24: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:56AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments April created by Michelle Arbore @ http://fibro2010.com/2012/04/the-month-of-april/#.VwhtI0eYL-s

April 2016

№ 118. Tree Castle IslandJean Craighead George » 1 Apr 2016
№ 119. DragondrumsAnne McCaffrey » 2 Apr 2016
№ 120. The Doctor's ChristmasMarta Perry » 3 Apr 2016
№ 121. The Three PigsDavid Wiesner » 3 Apr 2016
№ 122. A Walk in the WoodsBill Bryson » ♥ 3 Apr 2016
№ 123. 26 Fairmount AvenueTomie dePaola » 3 Apr 2016
№ 124. The Lives of Christopher ChantDiana Wynne Jones » 5 Apr 2016
№ 125. White HorseAlex Adams » 5 Apr 2016
№ 126. Portuguese Irregular VerbsAlexander McCall Smith » 7 Apr 2016
№ 127. The Practical JokersRichard A. Davis » 11 Apr 2016
№ 128. You're Never Weird on the InternetFelicia Day » 11 Apr 2016
№ 129. An Abundance of KatherinesJohn Green » 12 Apr 2016
№ 130. The StrangerAlbert Camus » 13 Apr 2016
№ 131. The Thin ManDashiell Hammett » 14 Apr 2016
№ 132. Red HarvestDashiell Hammett » 14 Apr 2016
№ 133. One SummerDavid Baldacci » ♥ 14 Apr 2016
№ 134. The Invention of Hugo CabretBrian Selznick » ✩ 16 Apr 2016
№ 135. The Bears on Hemlock MountainAlice Dalgliesh » 16 Apr 2016
№ 136. The Hundred Penny BoxSharon Bell Mathis » 16 Apr 2016
№ 137. The Courage of Sarah NobleAlice Dalgliesh » 16 Apr 2016
№ 138. The Deviant StrainJustin Richards » 17 Apr 2016
№ 139. Head in the CloudsKaren Witemeyer » ♥ 18 Apr 2016
№ 140. Bees in the Butterfly GardenMaureen Lang » ♥ 20 Apr 2016
№ 141. The Cereal MurdersDiane Mott Davidson » ♥ 21 Apr 2016
№ 142. The Finer Points of Sausage DogsAlexander McCall Smith » 25 Apr 2016
№ 143. Walk Two MoonsSharon Creech » 25 Apr 2016
№ 144. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time IndianSherman Alexie » 25 Apr 2016
№ 145. Raggedy Ann StoriesJohnny Gruelle » 26 Apr 2016
№ 146. Sour ApplesSheila Connolly » ♥ 27 Apr 2016
№ 147. The Doctor's Valentine DareCindy Kirk » 27 Apr 2016
№ 148. Death of a Cupcake QueenLee Hollis » 28 Apr 2016


Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 11. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
Read: 16 Jan 2016
Pages: 400
Edition: Hardback
Rating: ★★★★☆

"Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises."
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and looked forward to reading the sequels. :) This book wasn't a disappointment. We find out more about the peculiar children and their protectors. The adventure is there and the book races along at a pretty good rate. This made sure that the book didn't stall and or burn in the middle or end of the book. I am looking forward to the third book in the series. I did have some little problems though. 1) I wish that the author had not played with the old photos to match his characters and 2) I didn't feel that Jacob was respecting his parents and their feelings. He disappeared without a word to them and doesn't worry about how they are doing or what they are feeling with him gone.


message 26: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Apr 15, 2016 03:03PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments
№. 12. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Read: 16 Jan 2016
Pages: 449
Edition: Kindle
Rating: ★★★★★

"The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France..."
I love Kristin Hannah and her books. I haven't found a book of hers that I haven't loved. This book was no exception. This book was the Book of the Month in one of my groups and I had to make myself take time in reading it or It would have been finished in a day. lol. The book shows many different ways that people during WWII survived and even fought back against the enemy. The story of the "Home Front" and how the women and children lived while men were away fighting or in POW camps. The ending was not expected and did a good job of closing the story. I enjoyed reading from the sister's perspectives and their struggles with, the enemy occupying, their daily lives, their problems with their father and the friends who impact their lives.


message 27: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:55AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments May found @ http://www.mate.sokoldal.hu/anyaknapja

№ 149. Rashomon and Seventeen other StoriesRyūnosuke Akutagawa » 02 May 2016
№ 150. The Red Badge of CourageStephen Crane » 06 May 2016
№ 151. The Eye of the WorldRobert Jordan » ◈ 06 May 2016
№ 152. Wednesdays in the TowerJessica Day George » 07 May 2016
№ 153. Thursdays with the CrownJessica Day George » 10 May 2016
№ 154. StormdancerJay Kristoff » ♥ 11 May 2016
№ 155. Killing at the CarnivalL.A. Nisula » 12 May 2016
№ 156. The Girl Who Ruled FairylandCatherynne M. Valente » 13 May 2016
№ 157. Home Is the SailorPatrick Taylor » 13 May 2016
№ 158. Silently and Very FastCatherynne M. Valente » 13 May 2016
№ 159. Lavender's BlueKathleen Lines » 14 May 2016
№ 160. Raspberries and VinegarValerie Comer » 16 May 2016
№ 161. Roller GirlVictoria Jamieson » 16 May 2016
№ 162. The Field GuideHolly Black » 17 May 2016
№ 163. Brown Girl DreamingJacqueline Woodson » 17 May 2016
№ 164. The Wish GiverBill Brittain » 17 May 2016
№ 165. The Seeing StoneHolly Black » 18 May 2016
№ 166. The Cat Who Sniffed GlueLilian Jackson Braun » 18 May 2016
№ 167. Reviving Miss KittyBridget Clawson » 19 May 2016
№ 168. And We StayJenny Hubbard » 19 May 2016
№ 169. The Maze RunnerJames Dashner » ♥ 20 May 2016
№ 170. The Tale of Hill Top FarmSusan Wittig Albert » ♥ 20 May 2016
№ 171. Walk Through the ValleyDebbie Viguié » 26 May 2016
№ 172. Penny from HeavenJennifer L. Holm » 28 May 2016
№ 173. Turtle in ParadiseJennifer L. Holm » 28 May 2016
№ 174. FeathersJacqueline Woodson » 28 May 2016
№ 175. Olive's OceanKevin Henkes » 28 May 2016
№ 176. Lucinda's SecretHolly Black » 28 May 2016
№ 177. Graven ImagesPaul Fleischman » 28 May 2016
№ 178. Good Night, Mr. TomMichelle Magorian » 31 May 2016
№ 179. The Girl Who Chased the MoonSarah Addison Allen » 31 May 2016
№ 180. A Bear Called PaddingtonMichael Bond » 31 May 2016
№ 181. So Many Books, So Little TimeSara Nelson » 31 May 2016
№ 182. The Year of Billy MillerKevin Henkes » 31 May 2016


message 28: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:55AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments June found @ http://bibliocolors.blogspot.com/search/label/Nina%20Chen

№ 183. Maniac MageeJerry Spinelli » 1 June 2016
№ 184. The Great Gilly HopkinsKatherine Paterson » 2 June 2016
№ 185. The War that Saved My LifeKimberly Brubaker Bradley » 3 June 2016
№ 186. The Night CircusErin Morgenstern » ✩ 3 June 2016
№ 187. A Wicked ChillA.W. Hartoin » 4 June 2016
№ 188. Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. FiggRodman Philbrick » 4 June 2016
№ 189. A Good HangingIan Rankin » 5 June 2016
№ 190. Wind/PinballHaruki Murakami » 7 June 2016
№ 191. The WandererSharon Creech » 7 June 2016
№ 192. A Visit from the Goon SquadJennifer Egan » 7 June 2016
№ 193. Regina's SongDavid Eddings » ♥ 13 June 2016
№ 194. When We Went To The ParkShirley Hughes » 15 June 2016
№ 195. NoisyShirley Hughes » 15 June 2016
№ 196. All Shapes and SizesShirley Hughes » 15 June 2016
№ 197. ColoursShirley Hughes » 15 June 2016
№ 198. Bathwater's HotShirley Hughes » 15 June 2016
№ 199. The Golden Fleece & the Heroes Who Lived...Padraic Colum » ♥ 16 June 2016
№ 200. An American PlagueJim Murphy » 17 June 2016
№ 201. In the Year of the Boar & Jackie RobinsonBette Bao Lord » 17 June 2016
№ 202. When Books Went to WarMolly Guptill Manning » 19 June 2016
№ 203. Amish ProverbsSuzanne Woods Fisher » 20 June 2016
№ 204. A Bad Case of StripesDavid Shannon » 20 June 2016
№ 205. Maisy Goes to PreschoolLucy Cousins » 20 June 2016
№ 206. A Necklace of Raindrops & Other StoriesJoan Aiken » 20 June 2016
№ 207. A Study in RevengeKieran Shields » ♥ 21 June 2016
№ 208. The Graphic Canon, Vol. 3Russ Kick » ✩ 22 June 2016
№ 209. Seize the DaySaul Bellow » 22 June 2016
№ 210. The Dime Museum MurdersDaniel Stashower » 23 June 2016
№ 211. An Amish Boy and a Mother’s PrayerGlen S. Graber » 23 June 2016
№ 212. The Book of Lost ThingsCynthia Voigt » ♥ 25 June 2016
№ 213. The Book of ThreeLloyd Alexander » 27 June 2016
№ 214. The Perilous GardElizabeth Marie Pope » 27 June 20166
№ 215. The Glass CastleJeannette Walls » 29 June 2016
№ 216. Slaughterhouse-FiveKurt Vonnegut » 29 June 2016


message 29: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 14, 2016 07:55AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments July found @ http://www.inkymole.com/

July 2016

№ 217. The Cat, the Vagabond and the VictimLeann Sweeney » 02 July 2016
№ 218. My Reading LifePat Conroy » 03 July 2016
№ 219. Mysterious Benedict Society & the Perilous...Trenton Stewart » ♥ 04 July 2016
№ 220. The Girl Who Owned a CityO.T. Nelson » 05 July 2016
№ 221. Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's SyndromeJohn Scalzi » 05 July 2016
№ 222. AmericanahChimamanda Ngozi Adichie » ✩ 06 July 2016
№ 223. The RoadCormac McCarthy » 07 July 2016
№ 224. The Dream CoachAnne Parrish » 10 July 2016
№ 225. Old Possum's Book of Practical CatsT.S. Eliot » 14 July 2016
№ 226. Mr. Gumpy's OutingJohn Burningham » 14 July 2016
№ 227. Mother Teresa: Her Life Her WorksLush Gjergji » 15 July 2016
№ 228. New LandSarah Lindsay Schmidt » 15 July 2016
№ 229. Something Borrowed, Something BleuCricket McRae » 16 July 2016
№ 230. The Color PurpleAlice Walker » 17 July 2016
№ 231. BelovedToni Morrison » 18 July 2016
№ 232. EchoPam Muñoz Ryan » ✩ 20 July 2016
№ 233. Ripped From the PagesKate Carlisle » 21 July 2016
№ 234. I Told You So! A Life Of H. G. WellsJames Playsted Wood » 21 July 2016
№ 235. The Children's BookA.S. Byatt » ◈ 25 July 2016
№ 236. The QuinkinsPercy Trezise » 26 July 2016
№ 237. Pawn of ProphecyDavid Eddings » 28 July 2016
№ 238. Among OthersJo Walton » 30 July 2016


message 30: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 03, 2016 12:53PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments

August 2016

№ 239. Xerxes Invades GreeceHerodotus » 03 Aug 2016
№ 240. Bloody JackL.A. Meyer » 04 Aug 2016
№ 241. Tall TailRita Mae Brown » ♥ 06 Aug 2016
№ 242. The NamesakeJhumpa Lahiri » 07 Aug 2016
№ 243. A Spell for ChameleonPiers Anthony » ♥ 08 Aug 2016
№ 244. Shakespeare's SonnetsWilliam Shakespeare » ♥ 08 Aug 2016
№ 245. Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland...Catherynne M. Valente » ♥ 11 Aug 2016
№ 246. Runner Of The Mountain TopsMabel Louise Robinson » 13 Aug 2016
№ 247. With Baited BreathLorraine Bartlett » 14 Aug 2016
№ 248. Spirit BoundChristine Feehan » ♥ 17 Aug 2016
№ 249. The Readers of Broken Wheel RecommendKatarina Bivald » ♥ 19 Aug 2016
№ 250. Arrow of GodChinua Achebe » 22 Aug 2016
№ 251. Nine Princes in AmberRoger Zelazny » 26 Aug 2016
№ 252. ExodusLeon Uris » ✩ 28 Aug 2016
№ 253. The Blind AssassinMargaret Atwood » ✩ 29 Aug 2016
№ 254. My Awesome Japan AdventureRebecca Otowa » 30 Aug 2016
№ 255. Wined and DiedCricket McRae » 30 Aug 2016
№ 256. The Japanese Tsunami, 2011Lauren Tarshis » 30 Aug 2016
№ 257. Dancing with the Devil in the City of GodJuliana Barbassa » ♥ 31 Aug 2016


message 31: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Oct 03, 2016 12:54PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments

Sept 2016

№ 258. Harry, a HistoryMelissa Anelli » ✩ 01 Sept 2016
№ 259. Andy Warhol was a HoarderClaudia Kalb » 02 Sept 2016
№ 260. The Hunting of the Last DragonSherryl Jordan » 06 Sept 2016
№ 261. Dark WolfChristine Feehan » ✩ 09 Sept 2016
№ 262. The Boy Who Lost FairylandCatherynne M. Valente » 09 Sept 2016
№ 263. On Borrowed TimeJenn McKinlay » 12 Sept 2016
№ 264. Young FredleCynthia Voigt » 15 Sept 2016
№ 265. The Cat, The Collector and the KillerLeann Sweeney » 16 Sept 2016
№ 266. The Thirteen ProblemsAgatha Christie » 19 Sept 2016
№ 267. The Maximum Security Book ClubMikita Brottman » 20 Sept 2016
№ 268. A Town Like AliceNevil Shute » 21 Sept 2016
№ 269. Curious Charms of Arthur PepperPhaedra Patrick » ♥ 22 Sept 2016
№ 270. Alice The FairyDavid Shannon » 26 Sept 2016
№ 271. The Secret AdversaryAgatha Christie » 27 Sept 2016
№ 272. ZugzwangRonan Bennett » 27 Sept 2016
№ 273. The YardAlex Grecian » ✩ 28 Sept 2016
№ 274. The Green BicycleHaifaa al Mansour » ♥ 29 Sept 2016
№ 275. The Mysterious Affair at StylesAgatha Christie » 29 Sept 2016
№ 276. DeliveranceJames Dickey » 30 Sept 2016
№ 277. Swamplandia!Karen Russell » ✩ 30 Sept 2016


message 32: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Dec 12, 2016 09:43AM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments

Oct 2016

№ 278. Deadly Row to HoeCricket McRae » 02 Oct 2016
№ 279. The Black PearlScott O'Dell » 04 Oct 2016
№ 280. BookedKwame Alexander » 04 Oct 2016
№ 281. The Song of RolandUnknown » 06 Oct 2016
№ 282. Sadako and the Thousand Paper CranesEleanor Coerr » 06 Oct 2016
№ 283. TularosaMichael McGarrity » 07 Oct 2016
№ 284. Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & ClayMichael Chabon » ✩ 10 Oct 2016
№ 285. Seven for a SecretLyndsay Faye » ♥ 11 Oct 2016
№ 286. IqbalFrancesco D'Adamo » 12 Oct 2016
№ 287. The Murder PitJeff Shelby » 14 Oct 2016
№ 288. ElskerS.T. Bende » 15 Oct 2016
№ 289. Death of RileyRhys Bowen » 17 Oct 2016
№ 290. The Zodiac Legacy: ConvergenceStan Lee » ✩ 17 Oct 2016
№ 291. And Only to DeceiveTasha Alexander » 18 Oct 2016
№ 292. Lost CityJeffrey M. Poole » 18 Oct 2016
№ 293. Robot DreamsIsaac Asimov » ♥ 18 Oct 2016
№ 294. IlluminaeAmie Kaufman » ✩ 20 Oct 2016
№ 295. FloreanaMargret Wittmer » ♥ 21 Oct 2016
№ 296. Flare-upA.W. Hartoin » 21 Oct 2016
№ 297. The Red QueenMargaret Drabble » ♥ 21 Oct 2016
№ 298. Once a CowboyLinda Warren » 23 Oct 2016
№ 299. The PrinceNiccolò Machiavelli » 25 Oct 2016
№ 300. The Return JourneyMaeve Binchy » ♥ 26 Oct 2016
№ 301. The Bad BeginningLemony Snicket » 10/28/16
№ 302. The Wright BrothersRussell Freedman » 10/28/16
№ 303. Murder is a Girl's Best FriendAmanda Matetsky » 10/29/16
№ 304. A Fruitful VineCarrie Bender » 10/29/16
№ 305. The Kobayashi MaruJulia Ecklar » 10/30/16


message 33: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 11, 2017 01:35PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments

November 2016

№ 306. Kissing in AmericaMargo Rabb » ♥ 11/1/16
№ 307. Hana's SuitcaseKaren Levine » 11/1/16
№ 308. Never Let Me GoKazuo Ishiguro » ♥ 11/1/16
№ 309. Brave New WorldAldous Huxley » ♥ 11/9/16
№ 310. The Haunted MesaLouis L'Amour » ♥ 11/13/16
№ 311. The Elfstones of ShannaraTerry Brooks » ✩ 11/13/16
№ 312. Stories about My First ChurchElmer L. Towns » 11/14/16
№ 313. Along for the RideSarah Dessen » ♥ 11/20/16
№ 314. SojournR.A. Salvatore » ♥ 11/21/16
№ 315. The BFGRoald Dahl » 11/24/16
№ 316. Precious and GraceAlexander McCall Smith » 11/26/16
№ 317. Miss Dimple & the Slightly Bewildered AngelMignon F. Ballard » 11/28/16
№ 318. Is It Hanukkah Yet?Chris Barash » 11/28/16
№ 319. Is It Sukkot Yet?Chris Barash » 11/28/16
№ 320. Living in . . . IndiaChloe Perkins » 11/28/16
№ 321. Imani's MoonJanay Brown-Wood » 11/28/16
№ 322. Ruby Bridges Goes To SchoolRuby Bridges » 11/28/16


message 34: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Jan 11, 2017 01:35PM) (new)

Melissa (ladybug) | 114 comments

December 2016

№ 323. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki...Haruki Murakami » 12/1/16
№ 324. A Likely StoryJenn McKinlay » 12/2/16
№ 325. Better Late Than NeverJenn McKinlay » 12/3/16
№ 326. The Vanishing ThiefKate Parker » 12/4/16
№ 327. The McClane Apocalypse: Book 1Kate Morris » ♥ 12/5/16
№ 328. The Union Street BakeryMary Ellen Taylor » ♥ 12/5/16
№ 329. Tell the Truth, Shame the DevilMelina Marchetta » ♥ 12/7/16
№ 330. Love in the Time of CholeraGabriel García Márquez » 12/8/16
№ 331. Dark PrinceChristine Feehan » 12/13/16
№ 332. The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912Lauren Tarshis » 12/14/16
№ 333. Who Was Joan of Arc?Pamela D. Pollack » 12/14/16
№ 334. HootCarl Hiaasen » 12/14/16
№ 335. Little Kids First Big Book of BirdsCatherine D. Hughes » 12/17/16
№ 336. Temple GrandinSy Montgomery » 12/19/16
№ 337. The Lost ContinentBill Bryson » ♥ 12/20/16
№ 338. The Invisible RoadRafael Ábalos » ✩ 12/21/16
№ 339. All Better NowEmily Wing Smith » 12/27/16
№ 340. Dead, Bath, and BeyondLorraine Bartlett » 12/28/16
№ 341. The Little Paris BookshopNina George » ♥ 12/30/16


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