"The Last Equation of Isaac Severy" by Nova Jacobs

Title: The Last Equation of Isaac Severy
Author: Nova Jacobs
Published: March 6, 2018
Genre: Mystery

For the fans of the earlier reviewed Mr. Penubra's 24-Hour Bookstore, comes the Book of the Month Club's March pick The Last Equation of Isaac Severy: A Novel in Clues, a clever debut novel from author Nova Jacobs.

I made this novel my choice for BOM mostly because I was drawn to the idea of a math-driven mystery. My husband is the math brain. I, sadly, am not. The choice came as a way to maybe relate to what he finds so fascinating about numbers and equations. What I discovered is that I had plenty in common with the novel's heroine, Hazel Severy, who also doesn't possess my husband's or her own family's gift for mathematics.

Hazel, who owns a slowly-failing bookstore in Seattle, is called home for the funeral of her adoptive grandfather Isaac Severy, a world-renowned mathematician who died of apparent suicide. She soon receives a posthumous letter addressed to her by Isaac explaining that she alone is responsible for recovering his last equation despite not possessing the same mathematical ability as the rest of her extended family. Hazel quickly discovers the global impact that Isaac's equation could have as she searches for clues hidden by her grandfather in a copy of her favorite book. She also discovers that she is not the only Severy who is after the equation. Theoretical physicist Philip, Isaac's oldest son, is also on the hunt. However, a mysterious corporation, who may know more about Isaac's death, is hunting Philip. As soon as it seems like the equation is out of her grasp, Hazel is forced to enlist the help of a mysterious long-lost cousin, whose intentions may not be as pure as her own.

My initial impression of The Last Equation of Isaac Severy was that it was going to center around the amazing equation that Isaac Severy spent his life testing and perfecting. Instead, the story largely became about how this family of geniuses unravels as a result of their present and past traumas. The chapters alternate narratives told from the perspective of various members of the Severy clan. Each intertwined story provides more clues and insight into their complex lives, fragile egos, and tortured pasts. This reader enjoyed the alternating storylines, as it allowed Ms. Jacobs to slowly reveal characteristics and motives of each family member. Without giving anything away, I was extremely pleased with the resolution, as it was not anything like I had guessed.

As fantastical as Severy's equation is, I would recommend this book to mystery and math lovers! It was charming and entertaining and the plot twists and intrigue made the journey a fun one!

Rating:

"The Cantaloupe Thief" by Deb Richardson-Moore

Title: The Cantaloupe Thief: A Branigan Powers Mystery
Author: Deb Richardson-Moore
Published: June 27, 2016
Genre: Christian Fiction, Mystery

Hello one and all! Thanks for taking a break from enjoying the warm July weather to check out my review of The Cantaloupe Thief, a debut mystery novel from author Deb Richardson-Moore. This book came my way courtesy of Kregel Publications. Please click the link and check out their website!

Ten years after the brutal stabbing of the wealthy Mrs. Alberta Resnick, matriarch of one of Grambling, GA's most influential families, reporter Branigan Powers takes on the investigation that has stumped local police since its occurrence.

Branigan turns to her friend Liam Delaney for help. Liam is the unconventional pastor at Grambling's local homeless mission. He and Branigan both know that the homeless and transient community may possess some untapped information.

But as Branigan starts to dig, secrets get uncovered, and the people she reaches out to end up dead. A killer is out to cover his tracks, putting Branigan and her allies in grave danger. But little does the killer know that someone else is watching him....

I love a good mystery. I'm definitely a gold-level member of the Agatha Christie Fan Club (if there is such a thing)! Needless to say, I set some pretty high standards for The Cantaloupe Thief, and for the most part, they were met.

I liked the character of Branigan Powers. She's smart and plucky enough to do her job and do it well, but she has just enough personal drama and fall backs to keep her from becoming a super hero. She could be a real woman who you could run into on the street, and I like that.

Speaking of Branigan's personal drama, the novel has several arcs that delve a little deeper into her life. When these arcs were introduced at the beginning of the novel, I thought that they were getting in the way of the mystery at hand. Without giving too much away, however, I found that they tie into Branigan's investigation in a delightfully intriguing way.

The novel is told from the perspective of several of the characters both in the present time and a decade ago at the time of Mrs. Resnick's murder. It was a clever way to slowly reveal all of the clues to the reader. Whether or not you can piece the clues together is a whole different story. I thought for sure that I had correctly guessed the murderer only to be completely blindsided by the right answer. Between you and me, I love when that happens! This book kept me guessing!

The main theme of the novel was how sometimes homeless people feel overlooked or invisible. So I want to take the time, my dear readers, to remind you all to be kind to one another, especially those who have fallen on hard time. Don't be so quick to judge others by their circumstances, but instead remember the example of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.

"Love you neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

Kaylee says:

"Out of the Easy" by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Out of the Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Published: February 12, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Anyone who asks me for great YA or Historical Fiction reads, I will drop the name Ruta Sepetys immediately! I reviewed her novel Between Shades of Gray last summer! It's still one of my favorites (The movie adaptation called Ashes in the Snow is currently being filmed)!  Ok. Fangirl moment over. Her second novel, Out of the Easy, didn't disappoint.

For Josie Moraine, life in The Big Easy during the 1950s isn't exactly...easy. Known by the locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, she wants more out of life than what the French Quarter can offer. She works tirelessly in her best friend's bookshop and cleans for Willie, the infamous brothel madame, all while thwarting her neglectful, thieving mother and her mother's new beau who brings trouble with him wherever he goes.

As she get older, Josie dreams of attending a prestigious university on the East Coast. However, she can't seem to shake the whispers and the stares that follow her everywhere. When a mysterious murder occurs in the Quarter, Josie finds herself wrapped up in an investigation that will challenge her to rise above her station or succumb to the expectations that the Quarter residents have already laid out for her.

Josie Moraine is a great female protagonist. She's strong, sassy, and resilient. She knows how to make the best out of a bad situation, and I think young ladies will love rooting for her. The rest of the characters are as seedy as they are sympathetic. It seems like everyone in the French Quarter is up to something, but Sepetys will make readers love them anyway.

I'm not an expert on 1950s New Orleans, but the notes of racial tension, classism, and the presence of mobsters fits the time period. I also know that the author conducts extensive research before she writes, so I'm going to leave the rest to Ruta and trust that it's all accurate.

I really enjoyed this book, however, it's not one that I would consider using in my classroom library. The details surrounding the brothel and the prostitutes are something that I consider inappropriate to read within a school building. But older kids and adults, if you're looking for your next historical fiction read, then this is one that you should get your hands on!

Kaylee says:

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Interview with "The Whisper Theory" Author Amber Swenson

Over the course of the last semester, I had the opportunity to participate in a Bible Study with a number of other women on my campus. We read The Whisper Theory by author Amber Albee Swenson, who is a member at one of our WELS churches in Rochester, MN. We would read sections of the book and then meet periodically over lunch or dinner to discuss it. We also had an ongoing online discussion that we could contribute to at any time. After we finished reading, we all had the opportunity to sit down with Amber and pick her brain about the book. She provided us with a lot of great insight to the inspiration behind The Whisper Theory and the process she went through to write it! We decided to share this interview with you! Enjoy!

Q1: Which came first? The story or the Bible Study?

AS: The story. It sickened the people in my Creative Writing class in college because it kept on coming back again and again. I learned that you need some space. And the antagonists were just vile! My creative writing teacher told me that no one would read my story if the villain wasn’t somewhat lovable.

Q2: How much of this book is autobiographical?

AS: The plot is partially autobiographical. It was inside of me for 19 years, and it took me another 7 to write. In college, I met the wrong guy, and I thought I could save him. After that experience I totally understand addiction. I didn't back when I was your age. He had justifications for everything, and I took them hook line and sinker. The character of Jeff is nothing like that boyfriend. People ask me all the time “Are you Meghan?" She is a beautiful conglomeration of everyone I know. The self-righteous part of Meghan was something that I definitely had to deal with going to a public university. I didn't realize that it was a sin until after speaking with an older member of my congregation. 

Q3: Describe your process for writing the bible study included in the book.

AS: The "Whisper Theory" itself comes from the account of Elijah as he's outside Mt. Horeb at what was the lowest point in his life. God sent a great wind and a great earthquake, but He himself came in a whisper. The theory is that God comes to us in little ways just when we need him the most. It might be in a card or in a sermon we hear, but we see God's message shining through it. I didn't want to just write the book and put it out there for anyone to interpret, because I didn't want to give them the wrong idea that they needed to be looking for these big signs from God, so I wrote the bible study to guide them through the book.

Q4: Are you Meghan in that she apologizes for using words that people don’t understand?

AS: I still am! I usually put two words together, and then no one understands what I'm talking about! I truly do use the words in the wrong situations. It’s one of my quirky traits that my friends know about that I like to add in when I write.

Q5: Who was your intended audience?

AS: Young, college-age women. I wish someone had given me this book when I was that age.

Q6: Did you have just WELS girls in mind?

AS: Not necessarily WELS girls but definitely Christian. What I have learned to do with my work, speaking or writing, is pray that it glorifies God. Then I send it off and pray again that God lets it do what it will and not lead people astray.

Q7: Tell us about the upcoming sequel!

AS: The sequel is called The Bread of Angels and it's all about secrets. Everybody has them. Megan is 4 years into her marriage, and she finds out that her husband is keeping a terrible secret, and she no longer thinks she can stay married to him.

Q8: One of the big themes in your book is marriage. Do you have any marriage advice that you would like to share with young women who might be looking to date or get married in the future?

AS: Dating is more than just spending time and having fun together. It’s intentional. I think one of the most intimate things that you can do with another person is read God’s Word together. Be very intentional about it. Be discerning. You need to discern if this person is the type of person that you want to marry. Then take the steps to put up the proper boundaries. Start praying together and building that relationship together. Even in a marriage you have to work together to fall in love with each other again and again and again. I don’t care who you’re married too, but you will have times when your husband hurts you. He’ll do something stupid and you’ll question everything. And vice versa. Marriage is two very flawed people trying to live together. In a Christian marriage you pray together and work it out.

Thanks again to Amber for letting us sit down with her and bombard her with questions! For information about Amber and her books The Whisper Theory and its sequel The Bread of Angels, visit her website at www.biblemoms.com. 

"The Whisper Theory" by Amber Albee Swenson

Title: The Whisper Theory
Author: Amber Albee Swenson
Published: December 28, 2011
Genre: Christian Fiction

During first semester this past school year, one of my professors approached me with an idea. He had received several copies of The Whisper Theory from the author and wanted to put a group of ladies together to review it and participate in the accompanying Bible Study. Of course I said yes, and as the resident blogger of the group, I volunteered to post the review and an interview with the author Amber Swenson on my page!

The Whisper Theory follows a young lady named Meghan as she navigates her way through her first year of college. A devout Christian, Meghan has had no trouble standing firm in her faith. Then she moves in with her new roommates Carol and Jeff, who are not believers. It doesn't take Meghan long, under their influence, to start trying things she's never tried before, and soon she's breaking more rules than she's keeping. What's more, she begins to fall for Jeff. When a murder occurs in their apartment building, Meghan has to decide where she stands and what voice she's going to follow. After each chapter, there is a set of Bible study questions that pertain to the topics referenced in the chapter.

I think I speak for the entire group when I say that we thoroughly enjoyed participating in this Bible study. We had lots of meaningful discussions both on our online forum and in person. The topics we covered were all mentioned at some time in the book: underage drinking, sex, dating, and relationships with family and friends (especially with those of opposite faiths). This is definitely a book for Christian, college-aged ladies, and I think they would enjoy the discussions as much as we did.

The novel itself was realistic for the most part. The challenges that Meghan faces are similar to what I think a devout Christian college student would face. Things got a bit muddy when the murder in the apartment building comes in. That particular plot arc just seemed to distract from the rest of the book. That detail aside, we'd recommend this to anyone looking for a Bible study for a teen or college-age group.

Kaylee says:

"When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

Title: When You Reach Me
Author: Rebecca Stead
Published: July 14, 2009
Awards: Newbery Medal (2010)
Genre: Children's Literature

Sticking with finding quality children's and young adult literature for the classroom, I'm reviewing another Newbery Medal winner from author Rebecca Stead.

Since 12-year-old Miranda can remember, it's always been Miranda and Sal. Sal and Miranda. The two best friends help each other navigate the streets of 1970's New York City. They know who to trust, like Belle the grocery store cashier, and who to avoid, like the "laughing man" who lives on their corner. Then one day things change. Sal gets punched for seemingly no reason, and subsequently shuts Miranda out of his life. As if that wasn't strange enough, soon Miranda begins to receive mysterious notes from a stranger who claims to know about a deadly accident that will occur sometime in the future: an accident he can prevent, but only with Miranda's help.

The novel is wonderfully realistic with it's themes of friendship, first crushes, and quirky families. Making the novel even more believable is the rich historical detail from the 1970's. For example, Dick Clark hosting the game show that Miranda's mom is entering and the lingering distrust of African Americans. At the center of it all is a dangerous mystery of fantastic proportions that Miranda needs to solve! Fans of A Wrinkle in Time will love this book (but I won't tell you why)!

When You Reach Me is a great addition to any classroom library. My copy even had 10 pages of discussion suggestions and activities for teachers! But readers young and old will get swept up in the mystery and will root for Miranda as she learns more about her world and herself.

Kaylee says:

"Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Title: Moon Over Manifest
Author: Clare Vanderpool
Published: October 12, 2010
Awards: Newbery Medal (2011)
Genre: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction

As I get closer to completing my degree, I'm starting to seek out excellent trade books to include in my classroom library. You really can't go wrong with including the Newbery Medal winners and honorees on your shelves, so when Moon Over Manifest came my way, I had a feeling it was going to be good. I was not disappointed!

Abilene Tucker grew up on her father's stories about living in the little town of Manifest, Kansas. So when he ships her there on a train to live with an old friend while he takes a railroad job, she's disappointed to discover that it's just a dried-up old mining town. Things take a turn for the exciting, however, when Abilene finds an old cigar box filled with mementos and letters. The letters send her and her two new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on a real-life spy hunt despite being warned to "Leave Well Enough Alone." Working off a debt to the local diviner Miss Sadie, Abilene hears more stories from Manifest's past, which is one filled with unique characters and lingering secrets. The secrets unravel one by one as Abilene knits together the town's history and her father's role in it. Eventually, she begins to see her own story being woven into the seams.

Moon Over Manifest was a great read! I was hooked from page one! Abilene is wonderfully tomboyish and full of practical "survival" wisdom garnered from years of living on the road with her father. My personal favorite is, "Anyone worth his salt knows, it's best to get a look at a place before it gets a look at you," which she utters right before jumping off of a train.

The historical detail included in this book was rich and beautiful. Taking place during the Depression in 1936, author Clare Vanderpool paints the town in a way that makes you really feel as if you were living during that time.

I was fascinated with trying to piece together Manifest's history along with Abilene. The story is presented in four ways: Abilene's narration, Miss Sadie's stories from the past, Hattie Mae's News Auxiliary, and the letters from the mystery box. Each piece reveals more and more of the secrets hidden within the town, and it will keep you guessing.

The novel was a heartwarming and (sometimes) heart wrenching story of love and loss told in the voice of a young girl who just wants to know where she fits in. It is truly deserving of the Newbery Medal that graces its front cover. I would highly recommend it to readers young and old. Teachers, this is one for your classroom library!

Kaylee says:

Book Haul!!! Brown County Historical Society Annual Book Sale! 4/15/16

Hello one and all!

I've been away for a while because of school, which made me really sad. But now I'm back at it, and will  be sharing brand new posts about all things book and bean soon!

Today was the Brown County Historical Society's Annual Book Sale! So, of course, I took some time in between my classes to run downtown to check out what they had. I was not disappointed! Quick shout out to my lovely shopping buds, Emily and Amy, who helped me pick out these great titles!

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (How did I not have a copy of this till now....)
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Dandicat
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
None to Accompany Me by Nadine Gordimer
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus (Again fueling my love of Historical Fiction)
Paradise by Toni Morrison
Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan 
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan (Can you tell that I’m an Amy Tan fan?)
The Book of Salt by Monique Truong
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Ordinary White Boy by Brock Clarke
The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson

Comment below and tell me what novel I should pick up first!

"A Thousand Shall Fall: A Civil War Novel" by Andrea Boeshaar

Title: A Thousand Shall Fall
Author: Andrea Boeshaar
Published: November 27, 2015
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance

This week's review comes courtesy of Kregel Publications. I'll be reviewing A Thousand Shall Fall, the first novel in the upcoming Shenandoah Valley Saga by Wisconsin author Andrea Boeshaar.

The story follows strong-willed and ambitious Carrie Ann Bell, an aspiring journalist in the midst of the American Civil War. Carrie Ann receives a letter from her younger sister, who has run away with a traveling sales man. Knowing that she can't return home without her sister, Carrie Ann makes plans to go after her. Dressed as a Union officer, she leaves  town and attempts to sneak past the barricade. Just when she thinks she's made it, she falls (literally) into the arms of the handsome Colonel Peyton Collier, who quickly arrests her for impersonating an officer.

Under Colonel Collier's watchful eye, Carrie Ann adjusts to life in the Union Army camp, helping the doctor and nurses in the hospital tent. Soon she discovers that she has feelings for the colonel despite the rumors of his checkered past. However, Peyton isn't the only one with a secret. Carrie is keeping a dark secret of her own - one that might even threaten the life of the man she loves.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I love historical fiction, but I'm iffy about romances. They're usually too mushy for me. This novel, in my opinion, blended the history and the romance quite well. Carrie Ann had all of the qualities that I love in a female character. She's ambitious, a little bit stubborn, and unfazed at the prospect at becoming a journalist at a time in history when it was a job done only by men. I ended up enjoying playing witness to the blossoming love between Carrie Ann and Peyton. There was just the right amount of mush!

If you're looking for a historically accurate Civil War tale with a dash of romance, a pinch of intrigue, and a big helping of action,  A Thousand Shall Fall is the book for you! I'm giving this read 3/5 coffee beans!

Kaylee says:

TBTB Secret Santa 2015!!!

Today is Wacky Wednesday at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs, which means that I get to share something with y'all that's outside the norm!

It's not a secret that I'm crazy about Christmas! One of my favorite holiday activities is doing Secret Santa gift exchanges with my friends and family. For me, it's the thrill of the hunt - looking for just the right gift for your person. Love it. 

This year, I signed up to participate in a Secret Santa hosted by one of my absolute favorite blogs, The Broke and the Bookish! Seriously, guys. Go check them out, they are beyond awesome at what they do! All I had to do was give them my info and a wish list of the books that I might like to receive. I also got to tell them a little about myself and my interests. Then they did the work, matching me up with a SS and then also giving me an opportunity to play SS for someone else! 

I received the most thoughtful package from my Secret Santa, Gina! She went above and beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. She included handmade items, and personalized them just for me! I was blown away. It felt like I had gotten a present from my best friend, even though she and I have never met!

I also had a blast playing Secret Santa for Allison. Go check out her blog! She loves to do calligraphy and bake, so I looked for little things like notebooks, pens, cupcake liners, and mini cookie cutters for her gift. I also got to pick out which books from her wish list to send. I went with At the Water's Edge by Sarah Gruen and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. 

Perhaps the best part about the whole experience was getting to meet two lovely ladies with whom I have a lot in common, and I'm so happy to be able to call them my new friends! If you're looking to meet new people and want to spread some smiles next Christmas, I highly recommend signing up!

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Books of 2015

Hello Everyone,

2015 is soon drawing to a close! It was a great year filled with fun memories with my favorite people. It was also a year filled with great books! My goal was to read 30 books in 2015, and I ended being 8 short of reaching that goal. Of those 22 books, there are 10 that really stand out in my mind. So to wrap up the year, these are my Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
4. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
5. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 
6. China Dolls by Lisa See
7. The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport 
8. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
9. I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzi
10. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

What was your favorite book of 2015? Comment below!

Happy New Year :)

Hannah Reviews: "The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust" by Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger

Title: The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust

Author: Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger

Published: 2008

Genre: YA Literature, Nonfiction

Hey y'all. I'm bringing Hannah back with a long overdue review that she has so graciously put together for your reading pleasure.

Prepare yourselves. I am about to say something incredibly controversial. I, Hannah, have never been a fan of The Diary of Anne Frank. This is not to say I do not like Anne Frank her self or that I am a heartless human being, I simply do not think that it is the best book to use to teach children about the Holocaust. The first time I read The Diary of Anne Frank I was probably about 12 and I remember thinking how mad I would have been if my Dad had decided to publish my diary. It seems to be mostly about a girl coming of age than about the Holocaust. I think that if I used it in my classroom one day, I would only use parts of the book that are related to the time of history in which she lived. 

At this point you may be wondering why I am talking so much about a book I am not even reviewing. That's a great question. It is because since reading The Diary of Anne Frank I have been trying to find a book that would be more suitable for the classroom. I believe that The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust may be the one. This book was written by Lola Rein Kaufman with the help of Lois Metzger. Lola Rein Kaufman was only six years old, the German army invaded her hometown in Poland. Within a very short amount of time, some of her family members die and she goes into hiding on her own. For a while she is able to stay with a family who claims her as their distant relative, but as time goes on some of those in the family get too nervous, and they send her to hide at the farm of someone they know. You would think that she would be able to run and play on a secluded farm, but because of the fear of someone finding out Jews were there, she was forced to live in a hole in their barn floor for nine months. If this were not incredible enough, the hole is six-and-a-half feet by six-and-a-half feet and is barely tall enough for her tiny body to sit up in. Additionally, she shares the hole with two adults and another little girl. In this grave-like compartment she sits until she is told that the Germans have left and she leaves the hole for the first time in nine months.

Not only is this an amazing account of Lola in hiding, it also is about the struggles she faced after the war: a part of the suffering we do not always consider. Throughout the time she spent in hiding, Lola wore a dress on which her mother had embroidered a colorful design. This dress she would save throughout her life would end up in the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. 

This story is enlightening. Before reading this book, I had heard that some people had to hide in very small places during World War II, but this story helped me realize how terrifying the circumstances really were. I would say that, depending on the maturity level of the child this story could be read by a student in 5th-8th grade. The story itself is only 98 pages long, but there are several pages of suggested resources in the back of the book. This book has many Social Studies and History connections, and as a teacher, I have found that there are YouTube videos in which Lola Rein Kaufman addresses her experiences, so the students can put her face with her story. I would highly recommend this book to all students and teachers who would like to learn more about the experiences of children in hiding during the Holocaust.

Hannah says:

Know of any other good Holocaust stories either for the classroom setting or just pleasure reading? Comment below!

"The Midnight Visitors" by Juliet David

Title: The Midnight Visitors
Author: Juliet David, Illustrated by Jo Parry
Published: September 2, 2015
Genre: Children's Literature

Confession time: I am a Christmas fanatic! I love preparing for this special season by decorating my dorm room, shopping for presents for my loved ones, and setting my sights on the coming Christ Child with my daily Advent devotions and midweek church services. 

I'm kicking off the the holiday season here at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs with a review of Juliet David's new children's book The Midnight Visitors. 

The story follows Miriam the cow as she settles into her her cozy barn for the night. However, she is unable to fall asleep because visitors keep knocking at the door, asking to be let in. First comes a happy family of rabbits and then a lone fox named Freddy. Once they've drifted off to sleep, they are wakened once more by the innkeeper as he escorts a young couple to the barn. Miriam notices right away that the lady is going to have a baby! Once more, the animals fall asleep, and when they wake up again, there's a beautiful baby boy lying in Miriam's manger! Soon shepherds arrive at the stable after hearing about a special child from an angel and kneel before the baby. Miriam knows that this baby is special and she says that she'll never forget that special night before drifting off to sleep for good.

On the surface one assumes that this is going to be a cute retelling of the nativity story from Luke 2. And it is. Still, there are some serious issues about this particular children's book that I can't seem to get over. First, while the illustrations are lovely, the cover image is misleading. I though that the fox was going to be the main character. He's not. Instead it's Miriam the cow who doesn't appear anywhere on the cover. Second, in the scene where Freddy arrives at the stable, Miriam agrees to only let him in if there is absolutely no hunting in the barn. Remember, at this time the rabbit family is already inside. I'm all for kids understanding the predator/prey relationships that exist in the animal kingdom, but I don't want to find it in a children's book about the birth of Jesus. Third, there are places within the text where the vocabulary is beyond what a child of 4, 5, or 6 can understand. For example, the word "bedraggled" is used to describe the donkey on which Mary and Joseph arrive. Miriam also says "What a cheek" in response to a comment made by the innkeeper. No child is going to get that.

The book does have a few redeeming qualities in the charming illustrations and the fact that the second half focuses more on the arrival of baby Jesus and the visiting shepherds rather then the animals who just want to get some shut-eye. But with the three points mentioned above in mind, I have to give this one 2/5 coffee beans.

Kaylee says:

I want to know what your favorite Holiday children's book is! Share it with me in the comments below! One of mine is The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg!

"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Published: March 1, 2012
Genre: YA Fiction

Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm a little late to the game when it comes to reviewing this book. It's been floating out there on my radar since last year, but I finally got my hands on a copy a few months ago and then finally found some time to read it while I was holed up with the flu bug 2 weeks ago. Besides having oodles of free time for once in my life, what finally gave me the push to read this book was stumbling upon the trailer for the movie version while scrolling through YouTube on one of my (frequent) binges. The movie made its debut at the 31st Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2015, where it also took home two awards. I have yet to see the movie, but I would like to give it a shot having finished the novel.

Here's a quick synopsis: Greg Gaines has a unique approach to surviving high school. He prides himself on the fact that he's mastered high school espionage by successfully inserting himself into every group and clique on campus. Greg only has one rule: make sure no one from any other group knows what he's doing. Therefore, Greg is completely invisible, which is just how he wants it. Well, except for Earl. Earl is Greg's "coworker" and only real friend. Together they make films. Bad ones. And neither of the boys show them to anyone.This arrangement works pretty well until Greg's mom tells him that his old classmate from Hebrew school, Rachel Kushner, has been diagnosed with leukemia. And as Greg puts it, "My life had reached its highest point. I had no way of knowing that as soon as Mom walked in, the prime of my life was over. It had lasted eight hours." Greg's mom forces him to spend time with Rachel, and the unlikely trio eventually bond over Greg and Earl's films. But when Rachel stops treatment for her leukemia, Greg and Earl must take on the near impossible task of creating a film for her, which thrusts Greg into the spotlight that he'd work so hard to avoid.

This is not your stereotypical young adult "cancer novel." There's no great life lesson learned, no grand statement about the meaning of life. and none of the characters fall in love right at the last minute. Actually, it took a long time for me to figure out my feelings about this book. I felt almost no emotional reaction when I finished it, which is not something I expected in a book about a girl who dies - This fact is not a spoiler, simply because Greg tells you it's going to happen on page 2. Honestly, I got more emotional watching the movie trailer (probably the reason why I still want to see it). I also couldn't really find the book's message in between the potty language and the raunchy jokes. On top of that, Greg's constant interjections during his narration about how much the book sucks, got really irritating. But I think I finally got the point. Point number 1 is that death sucks. Unfortunately, that's also a part of life. The thing that endeared Greg to me in the book was his response to Rachel's death. He doesn't know how to deal with it, especially when the dead person was his friend. I'm 22, and I still don't cope with death well. I think teens who read the book will be able to relate to what Greg is feeling at that particular moment. Point number 2. Greg works so hard to avoid connecting with anyone. He's so afraid of rejection that he avoids any unnecessary interaction with anyone other then Earl. But what teenager hasn't felt that way? I think we all go through that phase where we just want to please our peers and fit in. However, once Rachel passes away, Greg regrets not getting to know her sooner. Readers should take this away with them when they read the book: take time to get to know people better. Create those bonds, even if you're afraid that one day they'll break because you never know how much time you'll get with those special people who you care about and who care about you. That's just life! 

I'm going to give the book 3/5 coffee beans for a colorful cast of seemingly relatable characters and worthwhile message, but I'm taking points away for the vulgarity (I think there's a swear word on every page) and the sometimes distracting narration. Parents might want to be cautious before letting your kids read this one.

Kaylee says:

"A Cup of Dust" by Susie Finkbeiner

Title: A Cup of Dust
Author: Susie Finkbeiner
Published: October 27, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while now know that I absolutely adore Historical Fiction! So I was excited to have the opportunity to review A Cup of Dust by Susie Finkbeiner. I was unfamiliar with both the title and the author, but the summary on the back cover piqued my curiosity right away.

Here's a quick breakdown. It's 1934 in Red River, Oklahoma, and 10-year-old Pearl Spence and her family can barely brush themselves off before another "duster" comes around and buries them. Pearl's father, Tom Spence, is the beloved sheriff of Red River, who is known for bringing down the notorious criminal Jimmy DuPre. Her mother, Mary, spends her time taking care of the sick and preparing food for the less fortunate. She is assisted by Pearl's grandmother, who is affectionately known as "Meemaw." Rounding out the family is Pearl's older sister Violet Jean "Beanie" Spence. Beanie's brain doesn't work the way that other people's do, and as a result, she doesn't always understand what is happening around her. As just about the only ray of light left in a county blackened by dust clouds, the Spence family does their best to care for their neighbors and provide a little hope to a town that could desperately use some. 

Life carries on as usual until a mysterious visitor named Eddie gets off the train and immediately knows everything about Pearl. As he forces his way into her life, playing the hero to win the trust of those around him, Pearl is the only person who seems to see the cold hatred behind his cornflower blue eyes. And the secret he claims to know about Pearl's family is enough to send her spinning like the very storm that threatens her hometown.

I certainly don't claim to be a expert on all things Dust Bowl, so what I love about this novel is that it has the endorsement of actual survivors who sign off on its historical accuracy. One such man, Virgil Dwain McNeil, has this to say: "The author does a great job of giving the reader a feel for those dark days in our nation's history." I couldn't agree more. Through Pearl's eyes, I really felt like I was experiencing what went on during that troubling time in our nation's history, and it was a tragic yet beautiful journey to take.

The characters in this novel were so believable. In the moments where the family is together, it was easy to picture their dynamic: the warmth during the good times and the tension during the bad. One character that I really want to focus on here is Eddie. He's the strange hobo who jumps off the train and steamrolls his way into Pearl's life, almost crushing it completely. It's been a long time since I've read a novel in which the villain actually made me feel fear. Eddie did that for me. He creeps in and out of Pearl's day-to-day existence in a crazy-stalkerish way, showing up at all the worst times. Maybe I can blame the feeling on my unhealthy obsession with Law and Order: SVU, but either way, Eddie made my skin crawl, and it was wonderful.

Going back to the Spence family for just a minute, I couldn't help but draw up some conclusions between them and Job from the Bible. Job was a man who had everything, and even when it was all taken away from him, he still trusted in the Lord. The same can be said about the Spence family. They're living in the most desolate county of Oklahoma in the midst of the Dust Bowl, yet they never completely lose the hope that God will protect and provide for them. If you ask me, that's an attitude that we can all work a little harder to adopt.

Kaylee says:

"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin

Today is a bit of a "Wacky Wednesday" here at Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs! Let me explain. On the fourth Wednesday of every month, I'll post something "wacky!" By wacky, I mean something out of the ordinary for this page. It could be a tutorial, a bizarre picture I found that week, or perhaps something that's requested by you all! Subscribe to keep up with the craziness!

As today is the inaugural "Wacky Wednesday" post, I have a wacky review for you! Meet my best friend Zach! He is a piano extraordinaire, Taylor Swift enthusiast, pizza connoisseur, and all-around funny guy. He has a very special book that he would like to share with you. Take it away Zach!

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is a story that some claim to be "The greatest story ever told" (Unke, 2015). Some have referred to it as "A monumental children's book" (Radue, 2015). Some have called it "Oh, yeah, I think I read that one time. Is that about cows that type?" These people are not wrong. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is the greatest story ever told about cows that type.

For those of you who either live under a rock or simply haven't lived at all, let me break it down for you. Farmer Brown (he's a human) has a whole bunch of cows (they are not humans) that like to type on an old typewriter that he left in the barn. The trouble starts when the cows start making demands via typed notes nailed to the barn door (where the cows learned spelling, grammar, and sentence structure will forever be a mystery to me). When their demands are not met, they start to leave super passive-aggressive notes saying that they will withhold their milk. It's Blackmailing 101, really. Various other barnyard creatures decide to get in on the cow' blackmailing scheme and some other stuff happens, I think, and eventually the animals and Farmer Brown reach an agreement.

What's great about Click, Clack, Moo is that it has something for everyone - kids like the pictures, adults can relate to both the animals and Farmer Brown, and the typewriter makes old people feel nostalgic. It's a delightful story that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling almost like being wrapped in an electric blanket. While it may not have the greatest moral lesson to be teaching our children - be very stubborn until you get your way - it does have the most cows that can type, which I think is something that's lacking from most literature these days. Click, Clack, Moo fills the hole in my bookshelf just as well as it fills the hole in my heart.

Zach says:

Check out Zach Unke Piano to learn more about Zach's amazing music and to order your copy of his new CD "How Sweet The Sound!"

Comment below with your suggestions for future "Wacky Wednesday" posts!!!

National Day on Writing - #WhyIWrite

October 20th is a special day for two reasons. First, it's my mother's birthday (Hi mom!). Second, it's a day set aside by the National Council of Teaching English, the National Writing Project, and the Teaching Channel to reflect on and celebrate why we love to write!  People are turning to social media and using #WhyIWrite to share their thoughts on the subject, but I'd like to share some of my own here with you, my wonderful readers.

Those of you who know me well are aware of the fact that I struggle with a speech impediment. I've had a stutter since my early grade school years, which makes it hard to communicate with other people. I stutter when I'm excited, stressed, sad, happy, or angry; basically, if I'm not at an emotional level of zero, I'm bumbling my way through sentences. Over the years, I've come up with my own system of modifications to make the stutter less apparent in my speech, but I'm still nowhere close to perfect. Writing has become a way to express myself when I can't necessarily do so with my mouth.

I stared writing at a young age. There is a pile of diaries in my closet filled with the scatterbrained scribblings of eight-year-old me to the angsty rants from the teenage days. Also, hiding somewhere in that pile is a Taylor Swift-esque attempt at songwriting that consists of me trying (unsuccessfully) to rhyme the names of the boys who broke my heart with fatal diseases. Anyway, even though I wrote a lot, I did it for myself.  I thought that people weren't interested in what I had to say, or I thought that maybe I just sucked at writing. Either way, I didn't share my creations (the good or the bad) with anyone, which sort of defeated the purpose.

Only in recent years have I felt confident enough in my writing to start sharing my work with others. It started on a small scale by publishing a few devotions here and there. One of those devotions will be included in a synod-wide publication that's coming out later this year! Yikes! And then last May, I threw all caution to the wind and created this blog! Two months later I got a sponsor, and now in October I've found a group of dedicated readers. I'm so proud of the progress I've made and the outlet of expression that this site has become.

So why do I write? I write to share. And through this blog I'm sharing two of the things that I value most with you: literature and my faith. No stuttering or stammering, just my words on a page...well, a screen. So, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read what I have to say, because without you I'd be back to writing really bad songs in my journals. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey and publishing the things that you guys want to read. I love you all!

Now it's your turn! Write a post on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and use #WhyIWrite to tell the world what inspires you!

Top Ten Tuesday: Author Duos I'd LOVE to See Write a Book Together!

Happy midterm!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by the lovely people over at The Broke and the Bookish! There's a new topic each week, and you can check out that list here.

This week's topic is to list ten author duos who I think should write a book together. I came up with this list based on authors I like and have read a lot of. If you don't like my combinations, go ahead and make your own. :)

1. Jodi Picoult and John Green - Just think of all the feels that would be felt!
2. Lisa See and Jane Austen - Feminists unite for the ultimate book for women, by women
3. Ernest Hemingway and J.K. Rowling - These two, as arguably two of the best writers in history, uniting together would result in a novel so epic that it can not be spoken about.
4. Frances Hodgson Burnett and Donna Jo Napoli - A magical fairy tale in the making
5. Stephen King and Edgar Alan Poe - I'm thinking "American Horror Story" in print form.
6. Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) and Agatha Christie - The crime novel of the century
7. Sharon Creech and Richard Peck - My two favorite authors from growing up working together would be an absolute dream team.
8. Jeannette Walls and Meg Cabot - The result would be equally humorous and heartwarming.
9. C.S. Lewis and George R.R. Martin - Think of the fantasy world that would come out of this union of minds.
10. Cornelia Funke and J.K. Rowling - Again, awesome potential for an amazing fantasy!

Can you tell I like J.K. Rowling?

Hannah Reviews: "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Title: Schooled
Author: Gordon Korman
Published: 2008
Genre: Realistic Fiction, YA 

Hannah's back, everyone! This time she's put together a short 'n sweet review of "Schooled" by Gordon Korman for you!

I first came across Schooled by Gordon Korman when I was helping sort through extra books we had lying around at our house. Since my Mom is a teacher who has taught every grade from Kindergarten to eighth, she has quite a few books that seem to come from nowhere. I figured, being a future teacher myself, I would see what it had to offer. 

Although this book was written in 2007, you would have expected it to be written in the 60s or 70s based on the cover art. In fact, it is about a boy in 2007 who has been raised on a commune by his grandmother his entire life. When circumstances conspire that force him to leave the commune for a time, his world is shifted upside down. 14-year old Capricorn Anderson is forced to go to a real live public middle school for the first time ever. Crazy situations ensue, but in the end both Capricorn and the other students at the school learn a lot about each other. 

I rather liked this book, however I did think that only some students might enjoy this book. There is not much background knowledge involved, but I think it makes a little more sense if one knows a little bit about the hippie movement. I would probably recommend it for students from 5th-8th grade. I give it 3 out of 5 beans.

Hannah Says:

Guys, this blog would seriously not exist without Hannah! It's so hard sometimes to come up with content for y'all while trying to stay focused on school and work. So, I absolutely rely on her to help me out every now and then! Thanks, girl! I owe you a coffee (or five)!!!