I love TMNT. Looking fwd to reading the copy of the first comic by Eastman and Laird that is included.

Yay, JEM!

It's pretty!
And it has the Tenniel illustrations!
And it's pink!

I love this series. Ellis always manages to see things just askew of the norm and break it open.

A supernatural fantasy book that drags you in, gets you hooked, and may have you running to your library's research section.

Disclaimer: The author is a friend of mine, and I have known about some aspects of the book over the years as they were writing it. However, my love and loyalty to my friends does not over-power my sheer book nerdiness, and therefore this revue is my honest opinion. Friends come and go, but stories are forever.

The story is about Lucy, a goth teenager just trying to get through school and enjoy life with her friends. But things start to change and she learns that the world around her is not what is seems. Not only do things like vampire and werewolves exist, but they are a lot closer to home than she could have imagined. As she is learning about all the supernaturals in the world, she is also learning about herself and the father she'd lost so many years ago. And this lesson is taking her on one hell of an adventure.

Wainright's story about teen Lucy and her discovering the secrets of the people and the world around her is laced with mythology and folklore from around the world. And unlike most popular supernatural YA fiction, this folklore isn't pulled from film, tv, or the author's own creations. More than once I found myself looking up some of the creatures and stories referenced because I wanted to learn more about it. And more than once I was wishing that there was a nerdy community out there to discuss ideas and theories floating in my head about show more Lucy and her world! Told from her perspective, the reader is taken on the same journey that Lucy is on, discovering the truth about who her friends are, her family, and who she can and cannot trust. The characters thwart the usual teen novel character tropes, while at the same remain familiar. You may see your own friends and enemies within them. If your friends and enemies are werewolves and vampires, that is.

The book is a fairly quick read, though sometimes I found myself stopping and finding passages to re-read to clarify the details in my head. But mostly in the same way I would in an Agatha Christie story. It combines the usual supernatural teen fantasy elements with folklore and has the feel of a mystery novel at the same time. Almost like the Harry Potter series, even the most banal tidbit may end up being important later on.


When Lucy sees someone getting their face eaten off, everything changes. Her best friend, it turns out, is a werewolf and a shapeshifter. More people around her turn out to be supernaturals. And then she learns that what she thought was myth and story turns out to be history and fact. Lucy then gets wrapped up in a group that seeks to keep these secrets from being exposed, and hunting down beasties that break the rules. But she begins to question what she's doing, and the reasons behind it all. Then there are stories being hinted at and hidden from her that point to her own family, and once again the adventure takes a change in course!


So, I guess it's clear that I really liked this book. Ok, more like LOVED it. The one complaint is that the sequel isn't ready yet, and I'm pretty sure D.L. is never going to let me read any bits before it's done, knowing how I want MOAR.

I would recommend this book to: teens and young adults; anyone who likes supernatural fiction; anyone who watches Supernatural; lovers of YA novels; parents who don't want their kids reading Twilight; people who read Twilight and want less sparkle with their vampires; people who generally want supernatural fiction YA stories with a strong female lead and fewer Hollywood tropes; anyone who has ever argued about the historical folklore behind the Dracula stories; mythology and folklore nerds (I know my people are out there!), historically accurate goths; the curious folks. show less

Disclaimer: Received from the publisher for free via the LibraryThing.com's Member Giveaway program, with understanding that I will review. I was not otherwise compensated for my review, nor is my review biased towards the publisher. These are my honest thoughts.

Another great collection of stories from my childhood that I held on to and shared with other children.
The stories are mostly adaptations of classic stories, for young readers. Good starter book.

I grew up reading this book, and then kept it as a main stay story book when I was a camp councilor, or watched kids. Sweet little stories that are perfect for a short bedtime story, or to start your little one on reading.

If you ever see a copy at a book sale, pick it up. You won't regret it.

Everyone should read Pippi. She is a beacon of joy.

Ok, yes, I know the concept of a reference book like this is outdated by the internet. But the browsing alone leads to hours of amusement. I mean, if you're a factoid nerd like me. A quick reference for so much, from who won the World Series in 1976 to how to get grass stains out. It might actually be faster than google for some questions. Just sayin'.

I've been using this book for years at home with my mother for jam recipes and other preserving information. It's clear and easy to read and understand. A great reference that helped me learn, and teach, food preservation.

DISCLAIMER: The FDA recommends NOT using recipes for canning in materials published prior to 1994.

Lists names and meanings. Geared towards American black Muslims looking to choose a new Muslim name. Introduction by the author.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was one of my favorite books as a young girl. I recently re-acquired it so that I can read it again through adult eyes.

The story follows an eventful time in the life of a young woman, Charlotte Doyle, as she sails home to New England from England. The ship she is on, however, is frought with discord amongst the crew and Charlotte not only is a witness to this, but must choose a side. In this choice she finds herself in ways that she had not imagined.

Like most Avi books, this is about a young person doing extraordinary things. And it inspired this little girl to march boldly in to life and be a little less afraid of the rough and tumble parts.

I highly recommend this for young readers as well as adults.

I put this down for a while, but it is still on my radar to finish. Long looks at evolutionary biology and at using robots to better study how the mechanisms may work. Specifically he looks at fish locomotion. If you can build a robot that mimics the motion, you can gain insight in to HOW that animal moves in that way, and how that came about. I find Long's style not so light that this is easy, popular reading, but not heavy and overbearing to prevent the non-academic from enjoying it.

Currently reading - and thus far, really enjoyable. It reads at a good pace without being bogged down and dragging, but still has a lot of substance. It is an interesting perspective on a complicated aspect of American history.

Very cool story and unique reboot (ish) of a character. I want to read more from Kamala. She's fearless and fierce and incredibly human. Makes me want to go read old Ms. Marvel stories, too, even knowing they aren't actually connected.

Kamala is a teenager just trying to figure things out when she is surround by a mysterious mist that gives her super powers. Modelling herself after Ms. Marvel, her idol Carol Danvers's old moniker, Kamala seeks to help people with her abilities while still trying to be a teenager and a good daughter.

Kamala is the first main stream Muslim superhero. Her journey includes her own struggles with her Muslim family and identity while navigating high school.