darladoodles
Mid-Continent Public Library
darladoodles's Completed Shelf
darladoodles's rating:
Added Mar 04, 2017
darladoodles's rating:
Added Mar 01, 2017
Comment:
This was such a long installment and we have yet another to read to get to the end of the series. Very disappointing.
I enjoyed the story for the most part, but way too much time was spent dwelling on Mare as a prisoner.
Interesting choice to switch to the multiple POV. Cameron still does not seem like she was worth the attention. Would have been more interesting to use a newblood we are more familiar with or Farley.
And what has happened to Jon, the seer? Has Aveyard forgotten him? He was like a footnote in this installment. Perhaps he will come back with a vengeance in the fourth book.This was such a long installment and we have yet another to read to get to the end of the series. Very disappointing.
I enjoyed the story for the most part, but way too much time was spent dwelling on Mare as a prisoner.
Interesting choice to…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Mar 01, 2017
Comment:
This was a pleasure to read and kept me guessing until the end. Such a great plot device to that the main character sneaking out at night and various times without revealing exactly what he is up to. Leads to excellent plot twists.
I finally decided to read this series late in the game. Will definitely continue with part two!This was a pleasure to read and kept me guessing until the end. Such a great plot device to that the main character sneaking out at night and various times without revealing exactly what he is up to. Leads to excellent plot twists.
I finally…
Added Feb 28, 2017
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2017
Comment:
This is such a heartwarming read and as many have described it -- a combination of Anne of Green Gables and Pippi Longstocking. Inge Marie does get into lots of mischief and her grandmother helps her realize that you don't have to be a perfect child to be loved. The adventures Inge Marie has with her grandmother, the farm animals, her friend Klaus and other islanders are delightful.
A great book for a readaloud!This is such a heartwarming read and as many have described it -- a combination of Anne of Green Gables and Pippi Longstocking. Inge Marie does get into lots of mischief and her grandmother helps her realize that you don't have to be a perfect child…
Making Sense of GodMaking Sense of God, BookAn Invitation to the Skeptical
by Keller, TimothyBook, 2016Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2017
Comment:
Written for skeptics, this also is a worthwhile read for the "ardent believer" as noted in the blurb above.
I have read many of Keller's past books (one of my favorites is "The Prodigal God") and have great respect for the pioneering ministry he has in Manhattan. My church Redeemer Fellowship has benefited greatly from the work there and other metropolitan churches that also work for the good of the city they inhabit.
This book is a valuable tool to help the skeptics and the believers of our time understand each other. I believe a good portion of the angst in this past election cycle can be attributed to the "follow your heart" message in secularist culture.
The problem is that my heart may be telling me something is right, but your heart does not say the same. Who is to say which of our hearts is correct? The secular view tells me to look within and be tolerant, but if I believe your heart is telling you to do wrong or you believe the same of me, it is difficult to be tolerant -- nearly impossible in some cases. The bottom line is this: whether you are a believer and follow biblical principles set forth by God or your are a secularist and follow your heart, there is a standard that your heart is following (most likely influenced by your friends, family and media habits).
Contrary to popular belief in this country, religion is not declining nor need that result be inevitable in a modern society. According to Keller, "Neither religion nor secularity can be demonstrably proven--they are systems of thinking and believing that need to be compared and contrasted to one another in order to determine which makes the most sense."
Another quote: "Ultimately, nonbelief in God is an act of faith, because there is not way to prove that the world and all that is within it and its deep mathematical orderliness and matter itself all simply exist on their own as brute facts with no source outside of themselves."
In the final section of the book we look at Jesus, for in the end he is the main reason for why we should believe Christianity. Keller writes: "in him we see qualities and virtues we would ordinarily consider incompatible in the same person. . ."Readers can discover for themselves his unbending convictions but complete approachability, his insistence on truth but always bathed in love, his power without insensitivity, integrity without rigidity, passion without prejudice."
"In the whole history of the world, there is only one person who not only claimed to be God himself but also got enormous numbers of people to believe it. Only Jesus combines claims of divinity with the most beautiful life of humanity."
The book ends with a quote from Reinhold Niebuhr:
"Religion is not the place where the problem of man's egotism is automatically solved. Rather, it is there that the ultimate battle between human pride and God's grace takes place. Insofar as human pride may win the battle, religion can and does become one of the instruments of human sin. But insofar as there the self does meet God and so can surrender to something beyond its own self-interest, religion may provide the one possibility for a much needed and very rare release from our common self-concern."
Want to know more? Read this book!Written for skeptics, this also is a worthwhile read for the "ardent believer" as noted in the blurb above.
I have read many of Keller's past books (one of my favorites is "The Prodigal God") and have great respect for the pioneering ministry he…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2017
Comment:
This is Some Biography! The chapters tell the story of E.B. White while collage illustrations show us photos, mementos and excerpts from his writing in his own hand.
White truly was a gifted writer and it is no wonder that his book "Charlotte's Web" is considered by some to be the best children's book ever written.
Although this book is in the juvenile section of the library, adults should not hesitate to pick it up and read this wonderful book.This is Some Biography! The chapters tell the story of E.B. White while collage illustrations show us photos, mementos and excerpts from his writing in his own hand.
White truly was a gifted writer and it is no wonder that his book "Charlotte's…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2017
Comment:
Love the way Lemony Snicket teaches children vocabulary in these books. We learned the difference between "anxious" and "nervous" as well as words like ersatz, cul de sac, red herring and hubbub.
It is also a hoot that the Squalor's live in a 71-bedroom penthouse apartment. I am, however, endlessly frustrated with the lack of awareness the adults around the Baudelaire orphans have when it comes to Count Olaf. He is always in disguise, people!
The adventure continues. Hopefully the Baudelaire orphans will soon be reunited with their friends the two living members of the Quagmire triplets.Love the way Lemony Snicket teaches children vocabulary in these books. We learned the difference between "anxious" and "nervous" as well as words like ersatz, cul de sac, red herring and hubbub.
It is also a hoot that the Squalor's live in a…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2017
Comment:
Stellar performance by Kate Winslet as the narrator on this audiobook version. I think I would have given the book on its own four stars -- Kate adds that extra level of enjoyment and I give this version five stars. You feel every bit of the suffering on the part of Matilda, Ms Honey and the other students at the academy. I could "see" the book so clearly through Dahl's writing and Winslet's narration. Would be a great audiobook to listen to on a family trip. Highly recommended!Stellar performance by Kate Winslet as the narrator on this audiobook version. I think I would have given the book on its own four stars -- Kate adds that extra level of enjoyment and I give this version five stars. You feel every bit of the…
Pride and Prejudice and ZombiesPride and Prejudice and Zombies, BookThe Classic Regency Romance--now With Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem
by Grahame-Smith, SethBook, 2009Book, 2009
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2017
Comment:
I am not a zombie fan and when Walking Dead is playing in my house, I avoid the room with the television. What I am is a Jane Austen fan and especially a Pride and Prejudice fan. I love the story more as time goes on.
So, when our library offered the opportunity to watch the movie one week and discuss the book the next, I decided it was time to check out this book.
It was a pleasant surprise to find out that the original text is preserved and the zombie parts added into the plot. In my opinion, Grahame-Smith did an excellent job of combining his zombie excerpts with Austen's original text. Hence, the four stars.
Now, a brief word about the movie. Worth watching, for sure. Don't expect the plot to follow P&P as closely as the BBC mini-series. They take a rather large detour and some rather creative plot points. With the exception of Darcy, the casting gets high marks. Colin Firth has spoiled me for eternity and no one else measure up. Also loved the costumes and the visuals of the Bennett girls preparing for battle.I am not a zombie fan and when Walking Dead is playing in my house, I avoid the room with the television. What I am is a Jane Austen fan and especially a Pride and Prejudice fan. I love the story more as time goes on.
So, when our library…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 19, 2017
Comment:
This is one of my favorites so far because the Baudelaire orphans make friends! They are not alone in trying to escape Count Olaf. When oh when will Violet, Klaus and Sunny meet at least one adult with half the moly of the Quagmire Triplets?! Their dear departed parents must be absolutely spinning in their graves due to the deplorable treatment that Mr. Poe allows to happen under his watch.This is one of my favorites so far because the Baudelaire orphans make friends! They are not alone in trying to escape Count Olaf. When oh when will Violet, Klaus and Sunny meet at least one adult with half the moly of the Quagmire Triplets?! Their…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 18, 2017
Comment:
This is indeed an unfortunate episode in the Baudelaire saga. Count Olaf gets more and more crafty and continues to deceive the adults who should be protecting the orphans.
The writing continues to be filled with dry humor while at the same time ratcheting up the tension. You just can't look away. Onward to episode #5!This is indeed an unfortunate episode in the Baudelaire saga. Count Olaf gets more and more crafty and continues to deceive the adults who should be protecting the orphans.
The writing continues to be filled with dry humor while at the same time…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 18, 2017
Comment:
Having recently read Heartless by Melissa Meyer gives me an extra star of appreciation for this little volume. It is whimsy and nonsense and a delightful escape. It would be so handy to eat a bit of mushroom here and there and adjust your size as needed. I see why it is considered a classic and has endured the test of time.Having recently read Heartless by Melissa Meyer gives me an extra star of appreciation for this little volume. It is whimsy and nonsense and a delightful escape. It would be so handy to eat a bit of mushroom here and there and adjust your size as…
Maxi's SecretsMaxi's Secrets, Book(or What You Can Learn From A Dog)
by Plourde, LynnBook, 2016Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 16, 2017
Comment:
Your name is Timminy, you are very short for your age and you are beginning the school year in a new school, which happens to also be a middle school and the place your dad is assistant principal in a brand new town. Good thing you have your dog Maxi to help you weather the storm.
Love all the lessons that Maxi the great pyrenees puppy teaches her family. Many a young boy or girl will take heart in their preteen years as they also learn from Maxi about being different and being a friend.Your name is Timminy, you are very short for your age and you are beginning the school year in a new school, which happens to also be a middle school and the place your dad is assistant principal in a brand new town. Good thing you have your dog…
The Inquisitor's Tale, Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy DogThe Inquisitor's Tale, Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog, Book
by Gidwitz, AdamBook, 2016Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 16, 2017
Comment:
This was a tale with many twists and turns and I really liked it. It is loosely based on the style of the Canterbury Tales so most of the chapters of the book are the tales being told to the narrator of the book at an inn in France. I didn't really think too hard about why the guy was listening to all these accounts about the children and then he reveals who he is . . .
The book is full of action some humorous moments mixed in. Kids will enjoy it as a readaloud -- so many cliffhangers.
The author's notes at the end actually raised my opinion of the book even more. The book was thoroughly researched and it was really helpful to see the background on the plot elements.This was a tale with many twists and turns and I really liked it. It is loosely based on the style of the Canterbury Tales so most of the chapters of the book are the tales being told to the narrator of the book at an inn in France. I didn't really…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 15, 2017
Comment:
It is heartbreaking to see girls gone bad up close. What a waste of potential, but understandable when you add in some clueless parents and some adults without scruples. One of the saddest things in this story was the absence of good men.
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 15, 2017
Comment:
I was intrigued by the concept of the seven sisters named after the days of the week, the frog turned back into a prince, etc. There were also fragments of other fairy tales scattered throughout -- the cow sold for the beans which become a huge beanstalk. . ., the goose who lays the golden egg, spinning wool (instead of straw) into gold and more.
This book, though, had an underlying tone of black magic which was not appealing to me. I was rooting for Sunday and Rumbold, but the dark forces in their families were too grim for me. Perhaps I have been too "disneyfied" when it comes to fairy tales. I'm sure many would remind me of the grisly plots the Grimm brothers originally penned. This book was an interesting ride, but I do not think I will go back for more of the Woodcutter series.I was intrigued by the concept of the seven sisters named after the days of the week, the frog turned back into a prince, etc. There were also fragments of other fairy tales scattered throughout -- the cow sold for the beans which become a huge…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 15, 2017
Comment:
This gothic tale is quite dark and grisly in parts. A bit too dark for my tastes, but the author does incorporate some intriguing plot twists and I am so very glad I persevered to the end.
Mabel is not likable at first glance, but as you get to know her and see her determination to pursue justice in the face of the mighty Winslow clan, you can't help but admire her. The Epilogue is worth the price of admission.
My rating is actually between a 3 and 4 -- just as it has been averaging on Goodreads. I would recommend this book to fans of "Gone Girl" and other books by Gillian Flynn. It also was quite similar to "Arrowood" by Laura McHugh. If you liked both of those books, then this one is right up your alley.This gothic tale is quite dark and grisly in parts. A bit too dark for my tastes, but the author does incorporate some intriguing plot twists and I am so very glad I persevered to the end.
Mabel is not likable at first glance, but as you get to…
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 15, 2017
Comment:
Richard Paul Evans does not disappoint. This is the first "mistletoe" installment with a male as the main character. I enjoyed this heartwarming story. As with the other books in the series there is a significant plot twist. This one was easier to guess for me, so I was not as emotionally overwrought as I found myself with books 1 and 2. Still a lovely book for any time of year.Richard Paul Evans does not disappoint. This is the first "mistletoe" installment with a male as the main character. I enjoyed this heartwarming story. As with the other books in the series there is a significant plot twist. This one was easier to…
A Poem for PeterA Poem for Peter, BookThe Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day
by Pinkney, Andrea DavisBook, 2016Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 14, 2017
The Boy in the Striped PajamasThe Boy in the Striped Pajamas, BookA Fable
by Boyne, JohnBook, 2016Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2017
Comment:
Loved the additions of the Oliver Jeffers illustrations in this special 10-year anniversary edition. This is a powerful tale showing how alike Bruno is to his counterpart on the other side of the fence in "Out-with" (Auschwitz).
This tale through the eyes of a German boy who is displaced from his home to a place near a concentration camp shows how the people of that country could have all of this going on around them and not realize the evil that they were submerged in until it was too late.
Highly recommended -- especially this edition!Loved the additions of the Oliver Jeffers illustrations in this special 10-year anniversary edition. This is a powerful tale showing how alike Bruno is to his counterpart on the other side of the fence in "Out-with" (Auschwitz).
This tale…
Added Feb 12, 2017
Comment:
Homer Price is an American icon. These six stories show us a slice of life in Centerburg and there is something for the whole family. Friends of mine confessed that while listening to this book on audio, they were forced to stop their car as the entire family was laughing so hard at one of Homer's stories.
McCloskey tells these stories in a nonassuming matter-of-fact way and the humor jumps off the page on its own. Whether you are envisioning Aroma the skunk getting the best of four bank robbers or Homer finding a way to make money off all the extra donuts that were cranked out by the machine AND find a missing diamond bracelet.
Fantastic readaloud that transcends time!Homer Price is an American icon. These six stories show us a slice of life in Centerburg and there is something for the whole family. Friends of mine confessed that while listening to this book on audio, they were forced to stop their car as the…
HuckHuck, UnknownThe Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught A Family-- and A Whole Town-- About Hope and Happy Endings
by Elder, JanetUnknown, 2010Unknown, 2010
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 10, 2017
Comment:
It is a heartwarming story and you really want them to find Huck. It just seemed to be a bit clumsily written to me. All of the street names and turns made me dizzy. Even with the map in the front and back of the book, it was difficult to follow. I also found it odd that for some people she met in Ramsey you got a back story, but not for others. Seemed a bit random.
This is a great book for doglovers, especially those who have survived cancer or love someone who has. It is also a testament to the kindness of strangers in small-town America.It is a heartwarming story and you really want them to find Huck. It just seemed to be a bit clumsily written to me. All of the street names and turns made me dizzy. Even with the map in the front and back of the book, it was difficult to follow. I…
The Perks of Being A WallflowerThe Perks of Being A Wallflower, Unknown
by Chbosky, StephenUnknown, 2012Unknown, 2012
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 09, 2017
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This bittersweet story stars Charlie as he is writing letters to someone we never meet. The letters are all about his first year in high school and about his attempts to take a teacher's advice and "participate" rather than just be an observer.
Charlie is such a sweet boy and you can't help but root for him in this coming of age story. Would only recommend for older teenagers as there are many sexual situations throughout the story.This bittersweet story stars Charlie as he is writing letters to someone we never meet. The letters are all about his first year in high school and about his attempts to take a teacher's advice and "participate" rather than just be an…
Me and Earl and the Dying GirlMe and Earl and the Dying Girl, Book
by Andrews, JesseBook, 2012Book, 2012
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 08, 2017
Comment:
I found the snarky tone of the first-person narrative to be quite entertaining, but the profanity was too pervasive and definitely knocked down my review.
This is my own personal level of acceptance and I am well aware that it varies for other readers. I am intrigued enough to see the movie.I found the snarky tone of the first-person narrative to be quite entertaining, but the profanity was too pervasive and definitely knocked down my review.
This is my own personal level of acceptance and I am well aware that it varies for other…
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