FurryFury
Addict of Sensation
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Reading Books For Pleasure
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graceanne
iteroticalay urugay
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Oops?
S'ok. I appreciated the tact the author showed in dealing with ... it (I don't want to give an spoiler alerts). And it didn't completely turn me off the books. I'll get the next one as soon as I have some money.
Yardley
Literotica Guru
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- Jun 12, 2015
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I think I have read all of Hillerman's novels. I had no idea he had a daughter that writes. Seeing more of that family publishing dynasty sort of thing, lately. Jonathon Kellerman and his wife, Faith, and now one of their kids. W.E.B. Griffen the V following his father; Clive Cussler's son too.. Makes you wonder. Can anyone with a basic imagination, good publishing and editorial help be a popular novelist?
I appreciate storytelling and it doesnt have to be "literature" in the classical sense for me to enjoy it.
FurryFury
Addict of Sensation
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2005
- Posts
- 29,460
60.) Silver Humanotica by Darcy Abriel 1/5
I don't like it when terms that mean something to the author (presumably), are not defined for the reader. That's just so frustrating.
It made me angry, having an adult child who is non binary and being very aware of the trans issues that "Silver" was remodeled with a dick. I like a fellow reader at my Kinky Book Club at Fetlife thoughts of mouths and such in different places now THAT might have been more interesting.
I am not fascinated by heavy thick dicks, nor by balls like the author. None of that is a turn on. I do adore anal sex but damn can we do anything in a way that sounds sexy? I guess it did to the author but not to the three of us.
Also agree with another fellow reader's review. I'll add that though the cover picture is fairly hawt, why was everything resolved through sex? There was no reason or rhyme to it. I'd have preferred just sex scenes and no fakery toward having a story.
Not sure why various oils were so heavily used in "domination" by all parties when they were not explained at all.
I did not want to read a BDSM book but I feel good I made it through two this month. Huzzah!
Amazon sez:
Born to freedom. Molded into submission. Pleasure is her only weapon.
No matter what the law decrees, Entreus is no one’s chattel. And he’s determined that no other humanotic—part human, part robot—spends one more second under the stranglehold of the power-mad government machine. That means doing whatever it takes to advance the cause for freedom. Even seduce a government minister’s favorite toy, a newly minted trinex named Silver.
Silver was a free woman until she committed the ultimate sin—pretending to be male to gain entrance to an exclusive science academy. Her punishment: modification. Now she is equal parts female, male and machine. The property of the secretive, charismatic Lel Kesselbaum, whose appetites push her new sexual abilities to heights of pleasure that make her wonder who is master, who is slave.
Until Entreus bargains his body in exchange for a secret meeting that rekindles her longing for freedom. Yet helping the fiery revolutionary execute his plan isn’t so simple, especially when she discovers her master’s secret—a secret that leaves her heart torn between two men. And one step in the wrong direction could mean death for them all.
Warning: Contains wickedly inventive sexual situations and language, including not-so-ordinary body modification and same-sex scenes with BDSM elements. And a most unusual application of decorative silver. Please step away if your taste doesn’t run toward the exotic.
61.) Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris 4/5
This series is new for Charlaine Harris. It doesn't have good reviews but I think that's mostly because everyone expects it to be like the so called Tru Blood books. It's not. Most of Ms Harris's books don't read like those.
Another series that she had was the Harper Connelly series, I liked it until she had the brother and sister become romantically involved. I was enjoy the strong but platonic relationship. I miss Harper and her brother.
I didn't much care for the Manfred Bernado character that ties this series somewhat to that one. That being said, I did enjoy the community and characters in this book. I will be reading further.
Amazon sez:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, “is back with a vengeance” (Tangled Web) with this first book in an all-new trilogy—and inviting readers to an even darker place on the map…
Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.
There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).
INCLUDES AN EXCERPT FROM THE NEXT NOVEL IN THE SERIES, THE DAY SHIFT
62.) Siege by Rhiannon Frater 5/5
This completes the trilogy that was billed as Thelma and Louise meets the Walking Dead. I've enjoyed it very much. I want more. It will be hard to leave this world and characters. My favorite new series of 2015.
Amazon Sez:
Siege is the conclusion to Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy, which should appeal to fans of The Walking Dead. Both The First Days and Fighting to Survive won the Dead Letter Award from Mail Order Zombie. The First Days was named one of the Best Zombie Books of the Decade by the Harrisburg Book Examiner.
The zombie illness has shattered civilization. The survivors who have found tenuous safety in Texas defend their fort against the walking dead and living bandits.
Katie has made peace with the death of her wife and is pregnant and married to Travis, who has been elected Mayor. Jenni, her stepson, Jason; and Juan--Travis's righthand man--are a happy family, though Jenni suffers from PTSD. Both women are deadly zombie killers.
In Siege, the people of Ashley Oaks are stunned to discover that the vice president of the United States is alive and commanding the remnants of the US military. What's left of the US government has plans for this group of determined survivors.
Now including the books I read at work for work into the mix so I will make my number of books. This is not even the total I read this month but only the ones I recorded.
Taking a Bath With the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy by Scott Menchin is a very cute picture book that let's kids know that different things make different creatures happy. It also potentially informs them that by simply smiling they might feel better. 3/5
Silly Tilly by Eileen Spinelli a picture book that is of course, very silly. I am not fond of Silly Tilly who takes baths in apple juice, like who does that? Apple juice, which I occasionally like, always smells like baby pee to me. She plays jokes on the other animals the farm. I'm not fond of that sort of thing. It can quickly get out of hand. Finally they stop Silly Tilly but then the poor deluded animals have some form of Stockholm syndrome and decide it's boring and they don't laugh enough. They therefore ask Silly Tilly to go back to being an ass. Yay. Not. A. Fan. 1/5
Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner. I love the art work, also by Ms Rayner, in this picture book. I love Augustus the tiger and his huge tigery stretch. In this book he loses his smile and goes to find it. Eventually he does find it while looking in a pool of water. The book ends with this bit of lovely text: "And Augustus realized that his smile would be there whenever he was happy. He only had to swim with the fish or dance in the puddles or climb the mountains and look at the world - for happiness was everywhere around him. Augustus was so pleased that he hopped and skipped . . . and jumped away smiling. 3/5
Where's Your Smile Crocodile? by Claire Feedman: The art work, by Sean Julian, is very engaging with bright colors and warm facial expressions despite some not smiling. Kyle the Crocodile wakes up feeling grumpy. He tries find his smile while playing and exploring. Parrot does silly noises, monkey makes silly faces, and elephant blows noisy bubbles for him. These things seem to please everyone in the jungle but not Kyle. What will it take to help Kyle? Turns out it takes helping someone else. A lovely message and a lovely book. 3/5
I Love You When You Smile by Sam McBratney: In this very cute book, art work by Charles Fuge, Mother Kangaroo tries to make her little roo smile. We should all have a mother that would be so much fun but alas none of her attempts work. In fact, it lands them in the kind of mess this mother would cringe at. Yuck! Mud! Not sure where the little girl that used to make red, clay, mud, pies went but there you have it. A happy resolution comes before the end of the book. In my opinion, however, one should not be pushed to smile so much. 4/5
Glad Monster, Sad Monster A Book About Feelings by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda, the cover is glossy and engaging. From the author of Go Away Big Green Monster which empowers kids to make the monsters go away, comes this tome about feelings. This book encourages you to try on different colored monster masks and say what makes you feel all kinds of feelings. It's a very cute book that is well thought out. More balanced than a book that only wants you to smile it allows you to have many different kinds of feelings with thoughtfulness but without shame. 4/5
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard, the author also did the illustrations which are very engaging. When Bird wakes up grumpy, his friends tag along. Before Bird even knows it, he finds some fun. 3/5
Grumpy Groan Growl by Bell Hooks and illustrated by Caldecott Award Winner Christ Raschka, I like the message to not try to run from feelings but to ride them out and just be. The text is a bit too sparse though. The illustrations certainly looked like those of angry child but they detracted from the little text that was there.* I did not like the illustrations or find them engaging. 1/5
Smile by Leigh Hodgkinson In this bright picture book "staring Sunny" Sunny gets upset when told no more cookies not even crumbs until dinner. Sunny gets worried that she is not her normally upbeat self. Only when she helps others does she regain her base nature. I am not fond of the art work and general style of the book but it's okay. 2/5
If You're Happy and You Know It by Jan Ormerod is very cute, It takes the song and suggest that some who don't have hands might swish tier tails or some other thing. Eventually it's decided that if you are happy and you know "do your own thing". Great illustrations by Lindsey Gardiner. 4/5
The Story of My Feelings by Laurie Berkner this book comes with a CD which makes sense since most of us know Berkner as a sing of children's songs. This book is basically a song that allows that having different feelings, each feeling makes you feel better and to get through. There is a bonus song Walk Along the River which is good too. Cute illustrations by Caroline Jayne Church. I love this book. 4/5
Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup is a cute book but somewhat confusing since it says that Grumpy Cat isn't really grumpy but just lonely. Later it seems to being saying Grumpy Cat is grumpy but by the end "not any more" um,yeah, which is it? This book would work better if the story line didn't contradict itself. The illustrations by Ms Teckentrup are very cute. 2/5
The Mole Sisters and the Cool Breeze by Roslyn Schwartz has wonderful whimsical illustrations. I'm a sucker for dandelion books and art. The lesson in this book seems to be "cast your bread upon the waters . . " Very sweet yet somehow not quite complete. 3/5
Mole Had Everything by Jamison Ondone The art on certain pages is enchanting and on others serviceable to the story. Mole has very little and is happy that way until one day when inviting a friend over to tea he finds he doesn't have but one cup. His friend Emerson, OTOH has "everything" which leads Mole to attempt to get the same. Somehow that doesn't work out for him but a lovely solution is found before the end of the book. 3/5
Digger The Story of a Mole in the Fall by Tessa Potter and Ken Lilly. This story is a bit scary and doesn't resolve very well. There is a look and find feature at the end that some kids might enjoy as well as a suggested list of theme connected activities. 1/5
Where is Mr. Mole? by Ivan Gantschew In this sweet book with great illustrations Owl looks for his friend Mole who is missing. Every animal he asks has seen Mole but was too busy for him. Will Owl find Mole? If so, what will Mole have found? Very cute. 3/5
Mouse and Mole and the Year - Round Calendar by Doug Cushman. This book starts in Spring and goes year round to show all the seasons. At the bottom of each pages are science lessons in pictures and text about planting seeds, photosynthesis and much more. 3/5
Mole and the Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman, illustrated by Patrick Benson is a very cute book with a fine lesson about not keeping things cages or trying to make wild things into pets. Empathy is tackled in this book as well. 4/5
The Best Gift of All by Jonathan Emmet, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban is a with a lesson about trusting your friends and helping one another out. Though Mole makes several mistakes, in the end is he redeemed. 3/5
Mole Babies by David Bedford, illustrated by Rosalind Bearshaw. Very cute illustrations and story about an eager father mole trying to find out how to make his soon coming babies happy. 3/5
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems. Though Willems is the king of two year old read alouds this one didn't work for me. Sure it celebrates being different at first but when everyone conforms to a new fashion it falls flat for me. 1/5
Mole's Hill by Lois Ehlert, anyone who has ever seen an Ehlert books knows it's bright and engaging based on the illustrations alone. Mole's Hill certainly is and when Mole is told he must relocate, Mole has other ideas. The picture book that shows how a mole hill becomes a mountain. 4/5
Bear in Underwear by Todd H. Doodler In this children's picture book bear finds a backpack. At the urging of his friends he tries on various underwear in the backpack. None is judged "right" until he comes to tighty whities. Then inexplicably, his friends put on the previously rejected underwear and love it. I'm not a fan of tighty whities and object to that being the gold standard. Conform children! Conform! 1/5
Bear in Pink Underwear by Todd H. Doodler In this episode, Bear is caught in the rain playing soccer in his only acceptable and now lucky tighty whities. After they are made muddy he washes them and they turn pink. Tragedy because you know, girls suck and it's a girl color. Somehow Bear soldiers on in spite of being made fun of by his own team and the team they are playing and scores. Maybe pink (and girls?) are okay after all? Research confirms Doodler is a nom de plume. 1/5
Even Monsters . . .* by A. J. Smith Shocker It seems even monster wear clean underwear and lot's of other hygiene is taken care of. They go to school, play soccer and even need a kiss goodnight. What kind of monsters are these?!? Strange to say the least, you'd think they would be dirty monsters but no. 1/5
Underpants Dance by Marlena Zapf A girl enchanted by her ruffled and fancy underpants does a dance to show them off. No matter where, she is told not to do so. She points out examples in magazines, at the ballet and the museum but she is told it's not the same. Finally she is ordered to put on pants to cover her underpants. She then puts her underpants on the outside of the pants and continues doing HER dance. You go gurl! 3/5
The Underpants Zoo Written and Illustrated by Brian Sendelback The text in this book rhymes both it and the illustrations are cute. It's not much of a story butt (< See what I did there?) it's a funny concept. 2/5
Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Giving new meaning to the saying "put your big girl panties on" Aliens save the world from a meteor by stealing underpants from clotheslines on earth, sewing them together for the meteor to hit and rebound off of. 3/5
No! That's Wrong! by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu Animals in the wood grapple with the right way to wear underpants. I love the conclusion to this. Reminds me of silly mornings with my Dad growing up! 4/5
The Popcorn Dragon by Jane Thayer Beautifully illustrated by Lisa McGue, this book is about a dragon that wants to find a way to fit in and have friends after foolishly showing off. 4/5
Are We There Yet? by Dandi Daley Mckall illustrated by Shannon McNeill Rollicking poetic word soup of a silly book with illustrations to match. 3/5
Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar - el Poor Crispin can't seem to breathe fire like everyone else in the family. He sure can breathe some really unusual things. Very cute book with the lesson it's okay and even sometimes awesome to be different! 4/5
Dragon Naps by Lynne Bertrand, illustrated by Janet Street. Both the words and pictures are sweet in this counting book. 2/5
Gramps and the Fire Dragon by Bethany Roberts, Illustrated by Melissa Iwai In this book the pictures are great as a child and his Gramps imagine an epic story while staring into a fire and rocking before bed. 2/5
Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joose This story would be cute if crying got you everything you wanted or even should do so. 1/5
Matthew's Dragon by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Jos. A. Smith is a sweet story of an epic adventure marred only by the demonizing of a cat. Lovely illustrations lift the story just a bit higher still. 2/5
Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon by Ute Krause This one might be a little off to P.C. parents these days as a small boy is sent to be eaten by a dragon. However it turns out to be a very good story about the power of quick wits and good cooking. 4/5
Dragon's Pizzeria by Mary Morgan A silly, farcical tale of storybook characters and a Dragon's Pizza business. 2/5
When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam Adorable story and pictures about a boy who builds the perfect sandcastle at the beach and therefore a dragon moves in. 3/5
The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann This book promises to be a story about "Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters but the text was sparse and for me it didn't feel fully realized. 1/5
There's a Dragon Downstairs by Hilary McKay, Illustrated by Amanda Harvey Very sweet book about a girl who is sure there is a dragon that comes in at night through the cat flap. She devises all kinds of strategies to cope and the final solution is pretty cute. 3/5
How to Be Friends With a Dragon by Valeri Gorbachev So many nos and nots which are not quiet mitigated by the cute pictures. 1/5
Oh So Brave Dragon by David Kirk is not quite as wonderful as Oh So Tiny Bunny but quite a bit better than Miss Spider's Tea Party for me. Dragon isn't really very brave but he is trying awful hard. The illustrations make this book. 3/5
Let it Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler Great illustrations help kids identify the potential, good and bad of the fall season. 2/5
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson This is a great book that invites the reader to tap, shake, warm and more, the tree then turn the page to see what happens. It takes you through the magic of the seasons. 4/5
Ouch by Ragnhild Scamell What will Hedgehog do when upon making his nest under an apple tree and resting, an apple falls on him, making it impossible to get back into his new nest? 3/5
Polar Bear's Underwear by Tupera Tupera This book has cut outs that let you guess whose underwear you are looking at. You then turn the page to see if you are right. It's a really lux thick paper and a lot of fun. 4/5
Bare Bear by Miriam Moss In this cute book, a bear has to find his underwear and other clothes which a strong wind scattered. He even has to talk to an ogre. 3/5
Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman Fast and rollicking, would make a good read aloud if you are into that sort of thing. 3/5
What Color is Your Underwear? by Sam Lloyd Another good read aloud with lift the flaps that show what color various animals underwear is. 4/5
Inside This Book (are three books). by Barney Saltzberg Very sweet book in three! Love it! 3/5
Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds A fast, fun read to help older siblings when a new baby joins the family. 3/5
The Spider by Elise Gravel This non fiction book is a very adorably illustrated one with simple text to inform little ones about spiders. 4/5
Lulu's Party by Kit Chase is great at showing what can happen when you don't give up or let your friends help. 3/5
What This Story Needs Is A Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virjan Though this book is very silly it still has a gentle lesson to teach. 3/5
Wait by Antoinette Portis Wait and hurry, the sad facts of life are beautifully drawn here. 2/5
I Will Take a Nap by Mo Willems So cute who doesn't love Mo Willems? But who knew that Piggie snores?!? 3/5
I don't like it when terms that mean something to the author (presumably), are not defined for the reader. That's just so frustrating.
It made me angry, having an adult child who is non binary and being very aware of the trans issues that "Silver" was remodeled with a dick. I like a fellow reader at my Kinky Book Club at Fetlife thoughts of mouths and such in different places now THAT might have been more interesting.
I am not fascinated by heavy thick dicks, nor by balls like the author. None of that is a turn on. I do adore anal sex but damn can we do anything in a way that sounds sexy? I guess it did to the author but not to the three of us.
Also agree with another fellow reader's review. I'll add that though the cover picture is fairly hawt, why was everything resolved through sex? There was no reason or rhyme to it. I'd have preferred just sex scenes and no fakery toward having a story.
Not sure why various oils were so heavily used in "domination" by all parties when they were not explained at all.
I did not want to read a BDSM book but I feel good I made it through two this month. Huzzah!
Amazon sez:
Born to freedom. Molded into submission. Pleasure is her only weapon.
No matter what the law decrees, Entreus is no one’s chattel. And he’s determined that no other humanotic—part human, part robot—spends one more second under the stranglehold of the power-mad government machine. That means doing whatever it takes to advance the cause for freedom. Even seduce a government minister’s favorite toy, a newly minted trinex named Silver.
Silver was a free woman until she committed the ultimate sin—pretending to be male to gain entrance to an exclusive science academy. Her punishment: modification. Now she is equal parts female, male and machine. The property of the secretive, charismatic Lel Kesselbaum, whose appetites push her new sexual abilities to heights of pleasure that make her wonder who is master, who is slave.
Until Entreus bargains his body in exchange for a secret meeting that rekindles her longing for freedom. Yet helping the fiery revolutionary execute his plan isn’t so simple, especially when she discovers her master’s secret—a secret that leaves her heart torn between two men. And one step in the wrong direction could mean death for them all.
Warning: Contains wickedly inventive sexual situations and language, including not-so-ordinary body modification and same-sex scenes with BDSM elements. And a most unusual application of decorative silver. Please step away if your taste doesn’t run toward the exotic.
61.) Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris 4/5
This series is new for Charlaine Harris. It doesn't have good reviews but I think that's mostly because everyone expects it to be like the so called Tru Blood books. It's not. Most of Ms Harris's books don't read like those.
Another series that she had was the Harper Connelly series, I liked it until she had the brother and sister become romantically involved. I was enjoy the strong but platonic relationship. I miss Harper and her brother.
I didn't much care for the Manfred Bernado character that ties this series somewhat to that one. That being said, I did enjoy the community and characters in this book. I will be reading further.
Amazon sez:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, “is back with a vengeance” (Tangled Web) with this first book in an all-new trilogy—and inviting readers to an even darker place on the map…
Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.
There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).
INCLUDES AN EXCERPT FROM THE NEXT NOVEL IN THE SERIES, THE DAY SHIFT
62.) Siege by Rhiannon Frater 5/5
This completes the trilogy that was billed as Thelma and Louise meets the Walking Dead. I've enjoyed it very much. I want more. It will be hard to leave this world and characters. My favorite new series of 2015.
Amazon Sez:
Siege is the conclusion to Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy, which should appeal to fans of The Walking Dead. Both The First Days and Fighting to Survive won the Dead Letter Award from Mail Order Zombie. The First Days was named one of the Best Zombie Books of the Decade by the Harrisburg Book Examiner.
The zombie illness has shattered civilization. The survivors who have found tenuous safety in Texas defend their fort against the walking dead and living bandits.
Katie has made peace with the death of her wife and is pregnant and married to Travis, who has been elected Mayor. Jenni, her stepson, Jason; and Juan--Travis's righthand man--are a happy family, though Jenni suffers from PTSD. Both women are deadly zombie killers.
In Siege, the people of Ashley Oaks are stunned to discover that the vice president of the United States is alive and commanding the remnants of the US military. What's left of the US government has plans for this group of determined survivors.
Now including the books I read at work for work into the mix so I will make my number of books. This is not even the total I read this month but only the ones I recorded.
Taking a Bath With the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy by Scott Menchin is a very cute picture book that let's kids know that different things make different creatures happy. It also potentially informs them that by simply smiling they might feel better. 3/5
Silly Tilly by Eileen Spinelli a picture book that is of course, very silly. I am not fond of Silly Tilly who takes baths in apple juice, like who does that? Apple juice, which I occasionally like, always smells like baby pee to me. She plays jokes on the other animals the farm. I'm not fond of that sort of thing. It can quickly get out of hand. Finally they stop Silly Tilly but then the poor deluded animals have some form of Stockholm syndrome and decide it's boring and they don't laugh enough. They therefore ask Silly Tilly to go back to being an ass. Yay. Not. A. Fan. 1/5
Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner. I love the art work, also by Ms Rayner, in this picture book. I love Augustus the tiger and his huge tigery stretch. In this book he loses his smile and goes to find it. Eventually he does find it while looking in a pool of water. The book ends with this bit of lovely text: "And Augustus realized that his smile would be there whenever he was happy. He only had to swim with the fish or dance in the puddles or climb the mountains and look at the world - for happiness was everywhere around him. Augustus was so pleased that he hopped and skipped . . . and jumped away smiling. 3/5
Where's Your Smile Crocodile? by Claire Feedman: The art work, by Sean Julian, is very engaging with bright colors and warm facial expressions despite some not smiling. Kyle the Crocodile wakes up feeling grumpy. He tries find his smile while playing and exploring. Parrot does silly noises, monkey makes silly faces, and elephant blows noisy bubbles for him. These things seem to please everyone in the jungle but not Kyle. What will it take to help Kyle? Turns out it takes helping someone else. A lovely message and a lovely book. 3/5
I Love You When You Smile by Sam McBratney: In this very cute book, art work by Charles Fuge, Mother Kangaroo tries to make her little roo smile. We should all have a mother that would be so much fun but alas none of her attempts work. In fact, it lands them in the kind of mess this mother would cringe at. Yuck! Mud! Not sure where the little girl that used to make red, clay, mud, pies went but there you have it. A happy resolution comes before the end of the book. In my opinion, however, one should not be pushed to smile so much. 4/5
Glad Monster, Sad Monster A Book About Feelings by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda, the cover is glossy and engaging. From the author of Go Away Big Green Monster which empowers kids to make the monsters go away, comes this tome about feelings. This book encourages you to try on different colored monster masks and say what makes you feel all kinds of feelings. It's a very cute book that is well thought out. More balanced than a book that only wants you to smile it allows you to have many different kinds of feelings with thoughtfulness but without shame. 4/5
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard, the author also did the illustrations which are very engaging. When Bird wakes up grumpy, his friends tag along. Before Bird even knows it, he finds some fun. 3/5
Grumpy Groan Growl by Bell Hooks and illustrated by Caldecott Award Winner Christ Raschka, I like the message to not try to run from feelings but to ride them out and just be. The text is a bit too sparse though. The illustrations certainly looked like those of angry child but they detracted from the little text that was there.* I did not like the illustrations or find them engaging. 1/5
Smile by Leigh Hodgkinson In this bright picture book "staring Sunny" Sunny gets upset when told no more cookies not even crumbs until dinner. Sunny gets worried that she is not her normally upbeat self. Only when she helps others does she regain her base nature. I am not fond of the art work and general style of the book but it's okay. 2/5
If You're Happy and You Know It by Jan Ormerod is very cute, It takes the song and suggest that some who don't have hands might swish tier tails or some other thing. Eventually it's decided that if you are happy and you know "do your own thing". Great illustrations by Lindsey Gardiner. 4/5
The Story of My Feelings by Laurie Berkner this book comes with a CD which makes sense since most of us know Berkner as a sing of children's songs. This book is basically a song that allows that having different feelings, each feeling makes you feel better and to get through. There is a bonus song Walk Along the River which is good too. Cute illustrations by Caroline Jayne Church. I love this book. 4/5
Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup is a cute book but somewhat confusing since it says that Grumpy Cat isn't really grumpy but just lonely. Later it seems to being saying Grumpy Cat is grumpy but by the end "not any more" um,yeah, which is it? This book would work better if the story line didn't contradict itself. The illustrations by Ms Teckentrup are very cute. 2/5
The Mole Sisters and the Cool Breeze by Roslyn Schwartz has wonderful whimsical illustrations. I'm a sucker for dandelion books and art. The lesson in this book seems to be "cast your bread upon the waters . . " Very sweet yet somehow not quite complete. 3/5
Mole Had Everything by Jamison Ondone The art on certain pages is enchanting and on others serviceable to the story. Mole has very little and is happy that way until one day when inviting a friend over to tea he finds he doesn't have but one cup. His friend Emerson, OTOH has "everything" which leads Mole to attempt to get the same. Somehow that doesn't work out for him but a lovely solution is found before the end of the book. 3/5
Digger The Story of a Mole in the Fall by Tessa Potter and Ken Lilly. This story is a bit scary and doesn't resolve very well. There is a look and find feature at the end that some kids might enjoy as well as a suggested list of theme connected activities. 1/5
Where is Mr. Mole? by Ivan Gantschew In this sweet book with great illustrations Owl looks for his friend Mole who is missing. Every animal he asks has seen Mole but was too busy for him. Will Owl find Mole? If so, what will Mole have found? Very cute. 3/5
Mouse and Mole and the Year - Round Calendar by Doug Cushman. This book starts in Spring and goes year round to show all the seasons. At the bottom of each pages are science lessons in pictures and text about planting seeds, photosynthesis and much more. 3/5
Mole and the Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman, illustrated by Patrick Benson is a very cute book with a fine lesson about not keeping things cages or trying to make wild things into pets. Empathy is tackled in this book as well. 4/5
The Best Gift of All by Jonathan Emmet, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban is a with a lesson about trusting your friends and helping one another out. Though Mole makes several mistakes, in the end is he redeemed. 3/5
Mole Babies by David Bedford, illustrated by Rosalind Bearshaw. Very cute illustrations and story about an eager father mole trying to find out how to make his soon coming babies happy. 3/5
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems. Though Willems is the king of two year old read alouds this one didn't work for me. Sure it celebrates being different at first but when everyone conforms to a new fashion it falls flat for me. 1/5
Mole's Hill by Lois Ehlert, anyone who has ever seen an Ehlert books knows it's bright and engaging based on the illustrations alone. Mole's Hill certainly is and when Mole is told he must relocate, Mole has other ideas. The picture book that shows how a mole hill becomes a mountain. 4/5
Bear in Underwear by Todd H. Doodler In this children's picture book bear finds a backpack. At the urging of his friends he tries on various underwear in the backpack. None is judged "right" until he comes to tighty whities. Then inexplicably, his friends put on the previously rejected underwear and love it. I'm not a fan of tighty whities and object to that being the gold standard. Conform children! Conform! 1/5
Bear in Pink Underwear by Todd H. Doodler In this episode, Bear is caught in the rain playing soccer in his only acceptable and now lucky tighty whities. After they are made muddy he washes them and they turn pink. Tragedy because you know, girls suck and it's a girl color. Somehow Bear soldiers on in spite of being made fun of by his own team and the team they are playing and scores. Maybe pink (and girls?) are okay after all? Research confirms Doodler is a nom de plume. 1/5
Even Monsters . . .* by A. J. Smith Shocker It seems even monster wear clean underwear and lot's of other hygiene is taken care of. They go to school, play soccer and even need a kiss goodnight. What kind of monsters are these?!? Strange to say the least, you'd think they would be dirty monsters but no. 1/5
Underpants Dance by Marlena Zapf A girl enchanted by her ruffled and fancy underpants does a dance to show them off. No matter where, she is told not to do so. She points out examples in magazines, at the ballet and the museum but she is told it's not the same. Finally she is ordered to put on pants to cover her underpants. She then puts her underpants on the outside of the pants and continues doing HER dance. You go gurl! 3/5
The Underpants Zoo Written and Illustrated by Brian Sendelback The text in this book rhymes both it and the illustrations are cute. It's not much of a story butt (< See what I did there?) it's a funny concept. 2/5
Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Giving new meaning to the saying "put your big girl panties on" Aliens save the world from a meteor by stealing underpants from clotheslines on earth, sewing them together for the meteor to hit and rebound off of. 3/5
No! That's Wrong! by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu Animals in the wood grapple with the right way to wear underpants. I love the conclusion to this. Reminds me of silly mornings with my Dad growing up! 4/5
The Popcorn Dragon by Jane Thayer Beautifully illustrated by Lisa McGue, this book is about a dragon that wants to find a way to fit in and have friends after foolishly showing off. 4/5
Are We There Yet? by Dandi Daley Mckall illustrated by Shannon McNeill Rollicking poetic word soup of a silly book with illustrations to match. 3/5
Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar - el Poor Crispin can't seem to breathe fire like everyone else in the family. He sure can breathe some really unusual things. Very cute book with the lesson it's okay and even sometimes awesome to be different! 4/5
Dragon Naps by Lynne Bertrand, illustrated by Janet Street. Both the words and pictures are sweet in this counting book. 2/5
Gramps and the Fire Dragon by Bethany Roberts, Illustrated by Melissa Iwai In this book the pictures are great as a child and his Gramps imagine an epic story while staring into a fire and rocking before bed. 2/5
Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joose This story would be cute if crying got you everything you wanted or even should do so. 1/5
Matthew's Dragon by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Jos. A. Smith is a sweet story of an epic adventure marred only by the demonizing of a cat. Lovely illustrations lift the story just a bit higher still. 2/5
Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon by Ute Krause This one might be a little off to P.C. parents these days as a small boy is sent to be eaten by a dragon. However it turns out to be a very good story about the power of quick wits and good cooking. 4/5
Dragon's Pizzeria by Mary Morgan A silly, farcical tale of storybook characters and a Dragon's Pizza business. 2/5
When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam Adorable story and pictures about a boy who builds the perfect sandcastle at the beach and therefore a dragon moves in. 3/5
The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann This book promises to be a story about "Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters but the text was sparse and for me it didn't feel fully realized. 1/5
There's a Dragon Downstairs by Hilary McKay, Illustrated by Amanda Harvey Very sweet book about a girl who is sure there is a dragon that comes in at night through the cat flap. She devises all kinds of strategies to cope and the final solution is pretty cute. 3/5
How to Be Friends With a Dragon by Valeri Gorbachev So many nos and nots which are not quiet mitigated by the cute pictures. 1/5
Oh So Brave Dragon by David Kirk is not quite as wonderful as Oh So Tiny Bunny but quite a bit better than Miss Spider's Tea Party for me. Dragon isn't really very brave but he is trying awful hard. The illustrations make this book. 3/5
Let it Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler Great illustrations help kids identify the potential, good and bad of the fall season. 2/5
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson This is a great book that invites the reader to tap, shake, warm and more, the tree then turn the page to see what happens. It takes you through the magic of the seasons. 4/5
Ouch by Ragnhild Scamell What will Hedgehog do when upon making his nest under an apple tree and resting, an apple falls on him, making it impossible to get back into his new nest? 3/5
Polar Bear's Underwear by Tupera Tupera This book has cut outs that let you guess whose underwear you are looking at. You then turn the page to see if you are right. It's a really lux thick paper and a lot of fun. 4/5
Bare Bear by Miriam Moss In this cute book, a bear has to find his underwear and other clothes which a strong wind scattered. He even has to talk to an ogre. 3/5
Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman Fast and rollicking, would make a good read aloud if you are into that sort of thing. 3/5
What Color is Your Underwear? by Sam Lloyd Another good read aloud with lift the flaps that show what color various animals underwear is. 4/5
Inside This Book (are three books). by Barney Saltzberg Very sweet book in three! Love it! 3/5
Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds A fast, fun read to help older siblings when a new baby joins the family. 3/5
The Spider by Elise Gravel This non fiction book is a very adorably illustrated one with simple text to inform little ones about spiders. 4/5
Lulu's Party by Kit Chase is great at showing what can happen when you don't give up or let your friends help. 3/5
What This Story Needs Is A Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virjan Though this book is very silly it still has a gentle lesson to teach. 3/5
Wait by Antoinette Portis Wait and hurry, the sad facts of life are beautifully drawn here. 2/5
I Will Take a Nap by Mo Willems So cute who doesn't love Mo Willems? But who knew that Piggie snores?!? 3/5
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L
La damnee elle la licorne
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The book about the little mole who got crapped on his head is a classic
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e1EMZGFHu_Y
Too bad you are not Danish!
These children's books Have been presented to quite a few kids of my acquaintance:
Lars and Lone home alone:
https://d2mwmew8l8vj8u.cloudfront.net/ItemImage.aspx?ItemID=145544
The story of Little Pale Johnny:
(Gangsta version of Little Black Sambo)
http://cdn4.arnoldbusck.dk/sites/default/files/bibi/1355413.jpg
Mustafa's kiosk (and other rhymes for children)
https://d2mwmew8l8vj8u.cloudfront.net/ItemImage.aspx?ItemID=4956441
The last one was banned in sweden for political in-correctnes.
It is not what the parents consider right, it is about what you consider fun!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e1EMZGFHu_Y
Too bad you are not Danish!
These children's books Have been presented to quite a few kids of my acquaintance:
Lars and Lone home alone:
https://d2mwmew8l8vj8u.cloudfront.net/ItemImage.aspx?ItemID=145544
The story of Little Pale Johnny:
(Gangsta version of Little Black Sambo)
http://cdn4.arnoldbusck.dk/sites/default/files/bibi/1355413.jpg
Mustafa's kiosk (and other rhymes for children)
https://d2mwmew8l8vj8u.cloudfront.net/ItemImage.aspx?ItemID=4956441
The last one was banned in sweden for political in-correctnes.
It is not what the parents consider right, it is about what you consider fun!
seela
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Glaskroppar by Erik Axl Sund. Meh, it was ok but not that great. The ending was a real surprise to me at least and I think I'm gonna have to read the next book once it comes out.
Psy-Q by Ben Ambridge. I took it from the library because I liked the cover and the topic seemed remotely interesting. Once again, meh. It had the potential to be interesting, but there just wasn't enough content in it. Each topic was covered in two, three pages and that's about it. Maybe it serves as an introduction to many aspects of psychology, but to me it was too superficial to be interesting.
I read a really great book, about religion, depression, love. It's a story of a young Laestadian couple who struggles with their religion and the expectations their community, the choices they make, but first and foremost it's a love story. The story stayed with me for a long time. Naturally the book has caused a lot of upheaval within the Laestadian community.
I loved the language once I got into it, but at first it jarred me a little because it was so flowery. I couldn't stop reading. Too bad it hasn't been translated into any language.
Psy-Q by Ben Ambridge. I took it from the library because I liked the cover and the topic seemed remotely interesting. Once again, meh. It had the potential to be interesting, but there just wasn't enough content in it. Each topic was covered in two, three pages and that's about it. Maybe it serves as an introduction to many aspects of psychology, but to me it was too superficial to be interesting.
I read a really great book, about religion, depression, love. It's a story of a young Laestadian couple who struggles with their religion and the expectations their community, the choices they make, but first and foremost it's a love story. The story stayed with me for a long time. Naturally the book has caused a lot of upheaval within the Laestadian community.
I loved the language once I got into it, but at first it jarred me a little because it was so flowery. I couldn't stop reading. Too bad it hasn't been translated into any language.
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I had to look "Laestadian" up.
...that was the new thing i learned today
It looks like a very classic case of cultishness, with all the classic cultish fun and games.
...that was the new thing i learned today
It looks like a very classic case of cultishness, with all the classic cultish fun and games.
seela
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I had to look "Laestadian" up.
...that was the new thing i learned today
It looks like a very classic case of cultishness, with all the classic cultish fun and games.
Not from the scariest end of the cult spectrum by any means but still pretty scary stuff. There are a lot of Laestadians in some parts of the country and they use very real political power in that region. That affects schools and so on, too. Not ideal, if you ask me.
And of course there are the funny aspects of it too. Like they can't watch TV, because TV's the devil, so instead they watch Netflix.
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tishadomina
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I'm re-reading my way through the Macro & Cato series by Simon Scarrow.
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Not from the scariest end of the cult spectrum by any means but still pretty scary stuff. There are a lot of Laestadians in some parts of the country and they use very real political power in that region. That affects schools and so on, too. Not ideal, if you ask me.
And of course there are the funny aspects of it too. Like they can't watch TV, because TV's the devil, so instead they watch Netflix.
They are in Scandinavia after all, that puts some moderation on the worst of cultishness.
Regarding TV, I think that double standards like that are a real cult classic.
L
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seela
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They are in Scandinavia after all, that puts some moderation on the worst of cultishness.
Regarding TV, I think that double standards like that are a real cult classic.
There's at least one homegrown, very nasty cult here. It's small but viscious. What's interesting about it is that basically all of the adult members are very well educated, about 90% of them are M. Sc.'s in the field of Technology. And basically 100% of them work at the cult leader's pretty damn succesful company earning next to nothing. They also have to maintain a certain unhealty BMI, I think it was 19 for men and 17 for women. The children are homeschooled, which is otherwise very, very rare here.
A friend of mine, who studied to become a teacher, tried to make his Master's thesis about the learning materials the cult uses for their children and left a post on a discussion board of ex-members of the cult. He was approached by the cult's lawyer, and when he refused to take down his post, he started to get tons of junkmail and even phone calls from the members of the cult. Eventually the lawyer contacted him again and he made another post on the board where he told that he won't be choosing that theme, it was not worth it.
FurryFury
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I have a book of proverbs from my childhood that I still cherish.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Proverbs-Favorite-Sayings/dp/B000EK8KW6
I also adore The Velveteen Rabbit Margery Williams.
What age?
Moles are a theme I'm working up a program around.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Proverbs-Favorite-Sayings/dp/B000EK8KW6
I also adore The Velveteen Rabbit Margery Williams.
What age?
Moles are a theme I'm working up a program around.
Furryfury, a surprising number of mole books.
I was thinking of going for a poetry anthology this time, she is still only wee, but old enough to enjoy a collection with beautiful pictures and verse that stays with one for ever. I'm just not sure what to go for....
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FurryFury
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That is cute!
FurryFury
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You can always go to a library or book store. Find a book you enjoy and think the child wood, then purchase it online.
Hmm, being precise without having reference to check is not my strong point
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IrisAlthea
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I don't know about that.They are in Scandinavia after all, that puts some moderation on the worst of cultishness.
Regarding TV, I think that double standards like that are a real cult classic.
There is something rather un-compromising and a faithfulness to authorities in the culture here.
Somehow these strict belief systems, like laestadianism or schartauanism, seem to fit in well and the rules are executed because rules are there to be followed.
Admittedly perhaps less so in Denmark.
Personally, I think that's why books like the one about the mole that got crapped on the head and others like that are important.
Our youngest tried to give our copy of the molebook away because she thinks it's too childish. She got voted down very quickly by two adults who still find it hilarious.
Sounds like a thriller would be more fitting than a thesis.
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I don't know about that.
There is something rather un-compromising and a faithfulness to authorities in the culture here.
Somehow these strict belief systems, like laestadianism or schartauanism, seem to fit in well and the rules are executed because rules are there to be followed.
Admittedly perhaps less so in Denmark.
Personally, I think that's why books like the one about the mole that got crapped on the head and others like that are important.
Our youngest tried to give our copy of the molebook away because she thinks it's too childish. She got voted down very quickly by two adults who still find it hilarious.
.
Another children's classic in our household is "The scary story about the cheese who ate mice".
And we do have some "interesting" cults in Denmark too.
Some classic christian ones, and some new ones of middle eastern origin.
The classic cults have the experience to navigate in the society and keep the aggression and suppression in their own circles. I guess they are about as nasty as the new ones.
The new ones on the other hand are more outspoken, more violent and top it off with ritual genital molestation of children.
Pretty sad, actually.
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...
Somehow these strict belief systems, like laestadianism or schartauanism, seem to fit in well and the rules are executed because rules are there to be followed.
Admittedly perhaps less so in Denmark.
......
You could be onto something.
I've heard people say, that if you put up a "Danger, No Entrance"-sign, the Swede will look at it, and go somewhere else.
The Dane will go around it, to see if it is for real.
FurryFury
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Beguilement (The Sharing Knife, Book 1) by Lois McMaster Bujold
I want more! I will be reading more. I loved the main characters, Fawn and Dag. How many of us have been treated like we are lesser or even nothing by friends and family? And how many of us have white knight syndrome? Universal themes that I love and also feminist themes. Love, love, love . . .
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back: A White Trash Zombie Novel by Diana Rowland
This 4th book wasn't quite as good as the three before it. Looking forward to the next one though and it certainly had it's moments.
The Master (The Game Maker Series) by Kresley Cole I would like more please, more, more, more, good fantasy and characters, if completely unrealistic.
I want more! I will be reading more. I loved the main characters, Fawn and Dag. How many of us have been treated like we are lesser or even nothing by friends and family? And how many of us have white knight syndrome? Universal themes that I love and also feminist themes. Love, love, love . . .
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back: A White Trash Zombie Novel by Diana Rowland
This 4th book wasn't quite as good as the three before it. Looking forward to the next one though and it certainly had it's moments.
The Master (The Game Maker Series) by Kresley Cole I would like more please, more, more, more, good fantasy and characters, if completely unrealistic.
PatchIsMe
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Mr Mercedes
I'm currently reading Mr Mercedes by Stephen King. So far it's par for the course IMO. It starts off kinda slow then warms up. Pretty good.
Tonight my son and I were talking about poetry and interpretation. What are some of your favorite poems?
I'm currently reading Mr Mercedes by Stephen King. So far it's par for the course IMO. It starts off kinda slow then warms up. Pretty good.
Tonight my son and I were talking about poetry and interpretation. What are some of your favorite poems?
