The Eleventh Edition ~ Book Review Blog Carnival

Welcome to the Eleventh Edition of the Book Review Blog Carnival.  I would like to thank all of those who took the time to send in these wonderful posts.  And without further ado, onto the reviews.

Children & Young Adult Fiction

Beth read Inkdeath, by Cornelia Funke and reviewed it at Beth Fish Reads. Beth opined: “Although the conflict among the different factions is well developed, I was disappointed that some of my favorite characters and their interpersonal relationships were pushed to the side.”

Jill read The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins and reviewed it at The Well-Read Child. Jill writes “Exceptional writing, an interesting premise, and gripping storytelling make this a book you don’t want to miss.”

Dolfin read You & Me, by Stella Blackstone & Someone I Like by Judith Nicholls and reviewed them at Lionden Landing. Of Someone I Like Dolfin writes: “This book makes a wise assumption: children are intelligent and will take from each poem what they can. Some children will delight in the sounds of the poems, some in the content, and others will find joy in
both.”

Bart read An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green and reviewed it at Bart’s Bookshelf. Bart says: “John Green fills An Abundance of Katherines with fantastic characters, and you can’t help but love the three main characters of, Colin, Lindsay and Hassan. Colin and Lindsay, through there attempts to find themselves and Hassan, for being the best kind of friend for Colin, and being completely hilarious!”

Steven read Seven Miles to Freedom – The Robert Smalls Story, by Janet Halfmann and reviewed it at Book Dads: Fathers That Read!. Steven thought: “The story of Robert Smalls’ life and accomplishments is not only a story about slavery and the fight for freedom, it’s a story about how fatherhood can make all of us better men when we take its lessons beyond our own families and out into our communities.”

Rani read Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, by Jan Karon and reviewed it at at Christ’s Bridge. Rani says: “There was absolutely nothing I disliked in this book. When I know children old enough for this book I will buy it for them.”

Heather read Starfinder, by John Marco and reviewed it at Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books.  Heather writes: “There are some characters that seem to be one way but as the story progresses you find out that they are not as clear cut as you first suspected. This goes for both the “good guys” and the “bad guys” … and it makes the characters seem more realistic despite the fantastical setting.”

Nathan read The Books of Ember - Series, by Jeanne DuPrau and reviewed at at Inkweaver Review – Book Reviews and Cover Art Blog.  Nathan writes: “The Books of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau are a fantastic series of science fiction novels about a post apocalyptic world and the brave and strong survivors that populate it. The series focuses on human interactions under stress and conflict.”

Shen-Li & Gavin read The Great Photo Find and reviewed it at Babylicious.  Shen-Li says: “As an entertaining activity, I think the book meets all the requirements, however, in terms of functioning as a book to encourage a budding interest in reading, it hasn’t succeeded – at least not in Gavin’s case.”

Tanya read Whales on Stilts, by MT Anderson, illustrations by Kurt Cyrus and reviewed it at Children’s Book Reviews and Then Some.  Tanya says: “Do you know how many laugh-out-loud on almost every page funny chapter books there are for children? Not enough! We owe MT Anderson our gratitude for bringing two more books to the shelves of the children’s section that are masters of the ridiculous.”

Heather read Island, by Aldous Huxley and reviewed it at Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books. Heather didn’t hold back: “I finally did get to the end. I forced myself to read the remaining pages all in one night so I could finally say I’m done with it. And you know what? Not much happens. In fact *nothing* happens that justifies the time I took to finish the book.”

Finance

Solid Planning read Rich Dad Poor Dad and reviewed it at Solid Planning. Solid Planning says: “Like us, you probably have had this book in your collection and have not picked it up in a while. That was our mistake! Today’s economic conditions have proved Robert Kiyosaki’s lessons which are explained in the book”

Mr Credit Card read More Than Enough: The 10 Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny, by Dave Ramseyand reviewed it in four parts at Ask Mr Credit Card. Mr Credit Card writes: “More Than Enough is an excellent personal finance book. It doesn’t deal with many concrete numbers, instead Ramsey chooses to dole out good old fashioned common sense with a little bit of humor mixed in.”

Jim read The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes, by Kay Bell and reviewed it at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
Jim admits his bias as he writes: “I like Kay and I like her writing style. I find her blog entertaining and informative so I came into the process of reviewing her new book with rose-colored glasses.”

Janelle read The School of Essential Ingredients, by Erica Bauermeister and reviewed it at Brimful Curiosities.
Janelle says: “Bauermeister’s poetic writing, full of rich metaphors, leaves you craving to read more. The book is so well written it could be considered one great big quote and has deservedly received many glowing reviews.”

Natasha read The Only True Genius in the Family, by Jennie Nash and reviewed it at Maw Books Blog.  Natasha writes: “I’m pretty sure you’ll love The Only True Genius in the Family.  The questions that it raises about our doubts,our talents, our
potentials, and our relationships is worth the read.  And it doesn’t hurt that it’s beautifully written either.”

Sarah read Sarah’s Key, Tatiana de Rosnay and reviewed it at SmallWorld Reads. Sarah had this to say about author Tatiana de Rosnay: “Her characters are crafted well and she invokes compassion without ever being sentimental.”

Christina read Junky, by William S. Burroughs and reviewed it at Livin’ The Dream (One Loser At A Time).  Christina says: “Although nothing truly happens, the story is so compelling and the characters are so vivid. Not one genuinely good
thing happens.”

Kerrie read Deadly Waters, by Pauline Rowson and reviewed it at Mysteries in Paradise. Kerrie says: “Deadly Waters has a complex plot but I struggled to keep the threads together in my mind despite the relative shortness of the book.”

Kerrie also read The Chalk Circle Man, by Fred Vargas and reviewed it at Mysteries in Paradise. About this one Kerri had to say: “The Chalk Circle provides the beginning of some of the threads that run through subsequent novels: Adamsberg’s unusual methods of solving crimes, his love for Camille, and his relationship with Danglard.”

Kerrie sure does like her mysteries! She read The Cruelest Month, by Louise Penny posted at Mysteries in Paradise. Kerri says: “The Cruellest Month has been sitting on my “to be read” pile for some time now and I regret not tackling it earlier.”

Tim read The Ten-Cent Plague, by David Hajdu and reviewed it on A Progressive on the Prairie. Tim writes: “And without coming right out and saying so, he leaves us with the conviction that if the country is messed up today, it certainly isn’t due to comic books.”

Malia read Electric Circuits, by Ed Basconi and David M. Jones posted at Homemaking 911. Malia says: “Each chapter had introductory materials on the topics to be covered and experiments to bring the lessons home. Along with the book came an amazing, self-contained kit that had all the materials needed for every experiment. My children LOVE hands-on experiments, and this is one area where I fall short. I do not like gathering up little things from all over the house to do a science experiment from a book.”

David read Dissenting Opinions: Public Addresses on Justice, Peace, and the Consequences of Dissent, by Clare Hanrahan and reviewed it at The Picket Line. David writes: “Readers of Hanrahan’s new book will also find her views on dissent and civil disobedience, the U.S. torture policy and the Army School of the Americas, international peace and reconciliation movements, homelessness, women’s empowerment, the prison-industrial complex, and issues of imprisoned women (Hanrahan herself was
imprisoned for six months after a civil disobedience action).”

Arj read Embracing The Wide Sky and reviewed it at ** Science On Tap **. Arj says: ” Tammet’s perspective is utterly unique, as an articulate, thoughtful savant who can introspectively analyze his own mind workings. The book actually includes a lot of references to more standard journal literature as well, but Tammet never blindingly accepts the conclusions of academic researchers when his own intuitive understanding of how the brain operates runs counter to the party-line of academics.”

Fiona read Write Screenplays That Sell, by Hal Ackermann and reviewed it at The Crafty Writer. Fiona writes: “The book provides a good overview of narrative structure, a detailed guide to writing scenes and some useful and thought-provoking exercises.”

By The Book Reviews read Teenage Waistland, by Abby Ellin and reviewed it at By The Book Reviews. By the Book writes: “Abby Ellin provides insight into what kids with weight issues have to deal with on a daily basis and how parents can
and cannot do to help.”

Personal Development

Peter read Personal Development for Smart People, by Steve Pavlina and reviewed it at we overstep. Peter writes: “The book contains huge amount of practical tips and exercises, even in the theoretical part – when you read it is good to immediately apply some of them.”

James read How to Be a Gentleman, by John Bridges and reviewed it at Overnight Sensation – Public Speaking, Communication and Personal Development. James says: “And although the book is geared primarily towards men, some women may find some of the advice useful as well (being courteous to others is gender neutral).”

Chris read Stumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert and reviewed it at Financial Reflections. Chris writes: “Gilbert does give us one hint about a reliable way to find what might make us happy – the experience of others. While our minds will imagine incomplete futures, the real life experiences and feelings of people who’ve been there can help us get a better guess about what makes us happy than our own minds will.”

Woman Tribune read Permission to Dream Journal, by Lisa Hammond and reviewed it at Woman Tribune. Woman Tribune writes: “It is a spectacular journal that allows you to write, collage, play and get back in touch with the arts and crafts child, teenager and/or young adult in us and really fulfill our dreams. If you knew that you wouldn’t–couldn’t–fail, what would you do with your life?”

Keira read The Greek’s Virgin, by Trish Morey and reviewed it at Love Romance Passion. Keira writes: “I would say for about ninety percent of this book I thought it was excellent. Perfect execution, I liked the characters, I was involved in the revenge trope, and things were good.”

Callista read Call of the Witches, by Laura Stamps and reviewed it at SMS Book Reviews. Callista was warned: “I don’t know how much sex is usually in a romance novel (feel free to tell me romance enthusiasts) but I was forewarned that this book was just a hair away from being classified as Erotica.”

Tru read The Android’s Dream, by John Scalzi and reviewed it at True Science Fiction. Tru says: “The Android’s Dream was clever, funny on several levels (everything from fart jokes to bad puns to good puns to actual witty conversation).”

Tru also read Galapagos, by Kurt Vonnegut and reviewed it at True Science Fiction. Tru writes: ” Galapagos is an odd book. (Of course, Vonnegut is an odd man too.) I would describe it as primarily science fiction but with an element of fantasy as well.”

Brad read two science fiction novels Exit Strategy, by Douglas Ruskoff  &  Farmer in the Sky, by Robert Heinlein and reviewed them at Tri-Freedom. of Exit Strategy Brad says: “But it is so much more fulfilling than raw suspense. Rushkoff recreates
market forces and business antics in a way both terrifying and remarkably similar to our our own. The character development is
flawless.”

Nymeth also read Galápagos, by Kurt Vonnegut and reviewed it at things mean a lot. Nymeth says: “Galápagos is such a great book. It’s funny and bizarre and not bizarre at all, and really really touching at times. Once again, Kurt Vonnegut did not disappoint me.”

Marta read The Terror, by Dan Simmons and reviewed it at Marta’s Meanderings. Marta says of author Dan Simmons: “I honestly cannot read his books at night because I get scared silly! ”

Alyce read The Domino Men,by Jonathan Barnes and reviewed it at At Home With Books. Alyce writes: ” Just when I thought I had a handle on what was happening with the plot, more twists were thrown in, and the ending of this story was a complete surprise. Most of the mysteries were solved, but there were also openings for a sequel.”

Jeanne read City of Bones & City of Ashes, by Cassandra Clare and reviewed at Necromancy Never Pays. Jeanne says: ” Get City of Bones and City of Ashes and read them for yourself sometime this winter, before the third book, already written, comes out.”

The next carnival will be published on March 1, 2009 at Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books.  You may submit your reviews here.