Book Review: Harriet the Spy

Book: Harriet the Spy (Harriet the Spy book #1) by Louise Fitzhugh

Cover Illustration by Louise Fitzhugh

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?

Currently Reading: Harriet the Spy

Happy Saturday!

For my next read, I picked a classic, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. I've always wanted to read this book but I just never got around to it. A little while back, I found an old copy at the thrift store. The version I have is not that old, it was published in 2001 and it also doesn't include the sneak peek sample pages for Harriet Spies Again.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to reading this because Harriet is a nosey, intuitive and inquisitive character. And it looks like her lost notebook is going to get her in trouble with her friends. I wonder who has notebook? I guess I'll find out once I start reading it.

Book: Harriet the Spy (Harriet the Spy book #1) by Louise Fitzhugh

Description:

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?

Book Review for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #2: The Phantom Tollbooth

Book: The Phantom Tollboth by Norton Juster and illustrations by Jules Feiffer

Cover Art by Jules Feiffer

Edition: Paperback

Description:

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. . . .

Currently Reading for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #2: The Phantom Tollbooth

For this Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon, I went through my bookcases and picked ten books that were mostly old or classic that I haven't read. Although, I do have one pick that was published three years ago as well as three slightly fairly recent comic books.

With that said, the second book I'm reading for the read-a-thon is the children's classic The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I have never read this but I always wanted to. I bought this book from a library book sale several years ago and I'm finally getting around to reading it.

Book: The Phantom Tollboth by Norton Juster and illustrations by Jules Feiffer

Description:

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. . . .

Book Review for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #1: Sweet Valley Twins: Lois Strikes Back

Book: Lois Strikes Back (Sweet Valley Twins book #38) created by Francine Pascal and story written by Jamie Suzanne

Cover Art by James Mathewuse

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Winner takes all...

Lois Waller has always been too shy about being overweight to join in school activities. When the Sweet Valley PTA decides to have a bike-a-thon, Lois finds the courage to ride. It's a chance for her to win a brand-new mountain bike—and it's the perfect opportunity to put snooby Bruce Patman in his place.

Everyone at Sweet Valley Middle School knows how much Bruce bullies Lois. Although Jessica Wakefield thinks that anything Bruce does is perfect, her twin sister Elizabeth disagrees and is on Lois's side. Elizabeth thinks Lois has a good shot at winning. But she doesn't know how far Bruce Patman will go to see Lois lose!

Currently Reading for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #1: Sweet Valley Twins: Lois Strikes Back

Happy Saturday, everyone!

It's been a while since I've done a Tackle Your TBR (to be read) Read-a-Thon or a read-a-thon in general. I recently mentioned that my reading has been really terrible which is why I wanted to do a read-a-thon. This is a total no pressure fun read-a-thon to help me ease myself back into reading again. My goal is to read ten books from my list starting with the slightly classic middle grade book Lois Strikes Back (Sweet Valley Twins) by Francine Pascal. So throughout the day, I'm going to curl up on the sofa and just enjoy reading.

Book: Lois Strikes Back (Sweet Valley Twins book #38) created by Francine Pascal and story written by Jamie Suzanne

Description:

Winner takes all...

Lois Waller has always been too shy about being overweight to join in school activities. When the Sweet Valley PTA decides to have a bike-a-thon, Lois finds the courage to ride. It's a chance for her to win a brand-new mountain bike—and it's the perfect opportunity to put snooby Bruce Patman in his place.

Everyone at Sweet Valley Middle School knows how much Bruce bullies Lois. Although Jessica Wakefield thinks that anything Bruce does is perfect, her twin sister Elizabeth disagrees and is on Lois's side. Elizabeth thinks Lois has a good shot at winning. But she doesn't know how far Bruce Patman will go to see Lois lose!

Video: Natalie Portman talking about her book "Natalie Portman's Fables"

I love that Natalie Portman, a fellow bookworm, rewrote three of the classic fables which are wonderfully illustrated by Janna Mattia. This is an interesting video and I love when she she was talking about how when she was younger, she loved the books, The Babysitter's Club by Anne M. Martin and really wanted to talk to the author about adding a new character to the series.

If that's not a total bookworm move right there, I don't know what is. After you've watched the video, I posted the description for the book below.

From Page to Screen: Doctor Dolittle: The Complete Collection

I've never read any of the Doctor Dolittle books but after watching the trailer for the new movie (which I want to see), it had me interested in reading them. I would love to get this boxed set, it includes 13 stories in four books. I think it's pretty cool to have all the books in one collection. I may have to add this to my wishlist because I really would like to read the books.

Book: Doctor Dolittle: The Complete Collection by Hugh Lofting

Description:

Journey into the world of Doctor Dolittle, the kind and eccentric naturalist who can speak with animals. Working with original author Hugh Lofting’s son, these books have been fully updated for the modern reader, all while retaining the full charm of the originals.

Book Review: The Hitchhiker

Book: The Hitchhiker by R.L. Stine

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a deadly ride...

He wants a ride. She wants a thrill. So in spite of her best friend Terri's arguments, Christina stops to pick up the handsome hitchhiker.

He's everything she thought he'd be. And more. Much, much, more.

Maybe too much more.

Maybe enough to thrill Christina and Terri...to death...

Book Review: Little Women

Book: Little Women (Little Women book #1) by Louisa May Alcott

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Love. Tragedy. Sisters.

Growing up in New England during he Civil War, the March sisters share everything - their joys and troubles, their loves and secrets. But the four girls couldn't be more different. Meg, the oldest and the most sensible. Jo is a funny and mischievous aspiring author. Beth is shy and dreamy and Amy is pretty and artistic.

From dances to despairs, through weddings and funerals, the March girls stand as sisters. This is one family you will never forget.

Book Girl Thoughts: Jane Austen Did Not Write "Little Women"

I'm almost finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and should have my review up soon. Something I've found interesting is that so many people mistakenly believe the story was written by Jane Austen. Without a doubt, Jane Austen wrote some absolutely amazing stories but Little Women was not one of them. Is Alcott that overlooked that her book is credited to another author?

With a new Little Women movie released in theaters next week (December 25th), maybe the posters and trailers should have prominently featured Alcott's name. Especially since it's her work that has been adapted into a movie. Well, her name is on one poster and in the trailer but it's so small you can barely see it.

I know new books and authors get more promotion and marketing nowadays (because they bring in more money) but the older ones should get a little more attention, especially if people don't know the author of a classic story.

Book Review: The Witches

Book: The Witches by Roald Dahl with illustrations by Quentin Blake

Cover Art by Quentin Blake

Edition: Paperback

Description:

This is not a fairy tale.

This is about real witches

Grandmamma loves to tell about witches. Real witches are the most dangerous of all living creatures on earth. There's nothing they hate so much as children, and they work all kinds of terrifying spells to get rid of them. Her grandson listens closely to Grandmamma's stories—but nothing can prepare him for the day he comes face-to-face with The Grand High Witch herself!

Book Club Picks for September: The Phantom Tollbooth and Faith: Hollywood and Vine

Happy first day of September! It's not even officially fall yet it's already cold and rainy outside. All the dreary weather aside, it time to post this month's book club picks.

Since, last month's pick for The Book Girl's Book Club was literature (I'm nearly finished reading it and will have the review up soon), I wanted to pick something different. I thought we could read The Phantom Tollbooth, a children's classic that have never read before.

Now for the Comic Book Club, I thought we could read Faith: Hollywood and Vine, it's a superhero miniseries that centers around the new hero, Zephyr.

I think both books will make for interesting read.


The Book Girl's Book Club Pick:

Book: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster with illustration by Jules Feiffer

Description:

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. . . .

Book Review: Matilda

Book: Matilda by Roald Dahl with illustrations by Quentin Blake

Cover Art by Quentin Blake

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

Book Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket book #1) by Roald Dahl with illustrations by Quentin Blake

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a delightful and whimsical story. However it didn't start out that way. The story opens by introducing Charlie Bucket, his parents and both sets of grandparents who are living in extreme poverty. They live in a small rundown house at the edge of town and there was only one bedroom and bed and the elderly grandparents shared that. While Charlie and his parents slept on a mattress on the floor. Although, they barely had enough money for food and other necessities they made sure to do something special for Charlie's birthday by giving him a chocolate bar. It wasn't much but it meant the world to Charlie.

Charlie loves to listen to his Grandpa Joe tell stories about Mr. Willy Wonka and his factory especially since the factory was closed to the public. As a way to counteract against spies who had been stealing his secrets, Mr. Wonka had fired all the employees and closed the factory. But the strange thing is his factory continued to produce candy leaving the townspeople to wonder who was working there.

A big surprise soon awaited the world when Mr. Wonka announced a special contest for five kids to tour his factory and to receive a lifetime supply of candy. To win they would have to find one of the five golden tickets which were hidden in random candy bars. 

Charlie and his family didn't think he had a chance of wining since they could only afford to buy one chocolate bar a year as a birthday gift. It wasn't long before winners were being announced: Augustus Gloop, a greedy boy with a huge appetite; Veruca Salt, a spoiled girl who get everything she wants; Violet Beauregarde, a rude girl who only cares about chewing gum and Mike Teavee, a boy who is obsessed with watching TV and playing with toy guns.

Thanks to some unexpected good luck, Charlie was able to find the last golden ticket. Accompanying the other children on the tour were their parents while Grandpa Joe went with Charlie. The inside of the factory held so many surprising and fantastic things including the mysterious people who work for Mr. Wonka, the Oompa-Loompas.

The tour was an unbelievable experience with them seeing unimaginable things along the way but one by one Augustus, Violet, Veruca and Mike seemed to be enticed by something that brought out their greed, rudeness and selfishness which sidelined them from completing the tour. After each incident the Oompa-Loompas would sing a song that I found included a very relevant moral.

I can see why this is a beloved children's story, not only is it a unique and well-written story but it's fun and wacky but surprisingly has a little bit of darkness to it. Although I found Mr. Wonka to be a total genius he was also very eccentric and so were the Oompa-Loompas. I thought Charlie was a wonderful character, he was very kind, caring and grateful. The experience of taking the tour was more than enough for him which is why he was so surprised when he received an unbelievable gift from Mr. Wonka. However, the other kids who were absolutely horrible were always looking for more. Those other kids were not the only ones who were horrible, so were their parents who enabled them by fulfilling their every whim and desire.

After reading this, I would like to read the sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. I want to see how Charlie is dealing with his new life.

Currently Reading: Batgirl vol #2 (New 52) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I can't believe it's been four years since I read the first volume of the New 52 Batgirl series. Due to reading so many Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) books, I had gotten a bit behind with my own books which is why I decided to cut back on reading and requesting ARCs. With that said, I can't wait to start reading vol #2, it's most likely still as grim and dark as the first volume but I'm looking forward to reading it.

As for the second book I'm reading, I figure it's never too late to read a classic. I've watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but I've never read the book both movies were based on.

Book: Batgirl volume #2: Knightfall Descends (issues #7-13 and #0) by Gail Simone

Illustrations by Ardian Syaf (#7-9, #11-12), Alitha Martinez (#7-8 and #10), Vicente Cifuentes (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13)

Inks by Vicente Cifuentes (#7-12), Alitha Martinez (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13), Color by Ulises Arreola (#7-13 and #0) and Letters by Dave Sharpe (#7-13 and #0)

Edition: Single Print Issues

Description:

Batgirl Barbara Gordon faces foe after foe now that she's back in the role of Batgirl. A deadly new gentleman killer, Grotesque, stalks the streets of Gotham City; The Court of Owls sets its sight on her father Commissioner Gordon; and an innocent woman sentenced to Arkham emerges more dangerous than the inmates she was locked up with!

Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket book #1) by Roald Dahl with illustrations by Quentin Blake

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Willy Wonka's Famous Chocolate Factory is Opening at Last!

But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

Book Review: And Then There Were None

Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

And Then There Were None is a gruesome mystery that follows as one by one, someone is murdering ten victims on a private island.

When a group of eight random strangers (Dr. Edward Armstrong, Emily Brent, William Blore, Vera Claythorne, Philip Lombard, John Macarthur, Anthony Marston and Lawrence Wargrave) are enticed into visiting a private island off the coast of Devon, they had no idea what they were getting into. When they arrived at the mansion they were not the only ones there, a butler and maid, Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers, who were recently hired, were there to greet them. However their hosts, the Owens were said to be delayed and would arrive later.

Everything was going quite well for the guests as they settled in and got acquainted. However, there were a few peculiarities but nothing that would set off any alarms. It wasn't long before the murderer's plan was set into motion with each of the ten in attendance soon learned that they were all considered guilty of crimes they once committed.

The first chilling death occurred followed by two more and as the tension mounts they wonder if there was perhaps someone hiding on the island. With no evidence to that they each begin to suspect that one of them was the killer. But who?

The fast-paced story was simple and complex at the same time and that's due in no small part to Agatha Christie's vivid and engaging writing. The victims are trapped on an island and in hopes of not becoming the next victim gather together to try to find the murderer. The characters quickly start to become paranoid and began suspecting each other. And as the reader you are left to question who are these characters. The more I read the more it was easy to see that there was so much more than meets the eye regarding each of them. But which one was the murderer?

I had my suspicions but each death removed a suspect making you re-examine all the details and the remaining characters. When the end neared, the reveal was rather amazing and in hindsight it made me completely aware of things I may not have paid particular attention to.

This was my first time reading anything by Agatha Christie and it was a good read. A meticulous story filled with drama, suspense and horrific murder.

Currently Reading: And Then There Were None

As you can see from the cover, I only paid 80 cent for this book that I got from the thrift store. Despite being a big mystery fan, I have never read any Agatha Christie books until now. I've heard that this has a really good mystery and I'm looking forward to reading it.

For fans of Agatha Christie, are there any other books by the author you would recommend?

Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Edition: Paperback

Description:

First there were ten -- a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to any of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal -- and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder, and one by one they begin to fall prey to an unseen hand. As the only people on the island, unable to leave and unable to call for help, they know that the only possible suspects are among their number. And only the dead are above suspicion.

Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time

Book: A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time book #1) by Madeleine L'Engle

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 3 stars

Review:

A Wrinkle in Time follows Margaret "Meg" Murry who along with her little brother Charles Wallace and their new friend Calvin O'Keefe go on a rescue attempt to save Meg and Charles Wallace's father, Mr. Murry. Mr. Murry, a scientist who had been working on a special project, had been gone for so long that people in town had started to make little remarks and spread rumors as to why he left. Which irritated and angered Meg a great deal.

To make things worse, there had not been a hint as to where Mr. Murry was especially since all communication stopped between him and Meg and Charles Wallace's mother who was also a scientist. It wasn't until Charles Wallace's new friends Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which, who are indeed a strange and unusual group of ladies, took them on an unexpected adventure to find Mr. Murry.

The Mrs. W's took them to distant planets as a way to prepare them for the challenge of finding Mr. Murry and to make them understand about an encroaching evil growing across the universe. After making their way to the planet Camazotz where Mr. Murry was at, the kids were on their own since the Mrs. W's could go no further.

The three kids soon had to figure out how to find Mr. Murry and to not get affected by the evil that has taken over the planet.

I've never been at a loss for words to describe a book until I read A Wrinkle in Time. This is a strange and weird little book but it did hold my interest. One of the main problems I had with this book was that there was a lot of vagueness in this. From the character description which lacked in a lot of ways to the overall story itself which at times made it hard to get a good understanding of where it was going. I was also disappointed that the story moved on so quickly from things that were introduced as well as not really expanding on it nor being more descriptive.

This was a decent read perhaps not something I would rush to read again. I felt like some of the story was a little unimaginative and cliché as it focused on the theme of good vs evil with a bit of sci-fi tossed in. However, there were things that I enjoyed such as Meg who was smart, feisty and headstrong but she does have her fault of being very petulant at times. Charles Wallace was an interesting character, he was smart and for a little kid he had an old soul. The author did a good job with the creepiness of conformity on Camazotz but there was still this vagueness that plagued the story.

Although the book wasn't necessarily my favorite, I am still interested in wanting to see the movie. I want to see what aspects of the book made it into the film as well as any changes. I'm not sure I will continue on with the series but I am glad I finally read the first book.

Currently Reading: A Wrinkle in Time

As far as I know of, I can't believe I have not read "A Wrinkle in Time". I know as a kid I read a lot of books but I can't remember all the ones I read. So who knows maybe I read this and just don't remember.

Anyway, I bought this maybe two or three years ago but I never got around to reading it. And since the story has been adapted into a movie (which won't be released until next year) I want to read it before I see it.

Book: A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time book #1) by Madeleine L'Engle

Edition: Paperback

Description:

It was a dark and stormy night.

Out of this wild night, a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and extraordinary adventure -- one that will threaten their lives and our universe.