saraslibrary's 75 Books Challenge for 2009: #2 (hee hee, I said #2)

Yes, as you can tell, my reading list for this year (and well, every year) is oh so intellectual and mature. The first half (#1-39) is here, and my other challenge (Paranormal 999) is here. So happy flaming and/or reading! (I'd recommend the latter. :)

40) The Day My Butt Went Psycho! by Andy Griffiths
Read: June 25, 2009 - March 13, 2010
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Zack Freeman is ready to tell his story...the story of a brave young boy and his crazy runaway butt. The story of a crack butt-fighting unit called the B-team, a legendary Butt Hunger's formidable daughter, and some of the ugliest and meanest butts ever to roam the face of the Earth. A story of endurance that takes Zack on an epic journey across the Great Windy Desert, through the Brown Forest, and over the Sea of Butts before descending into the heart of an explosive buttcano to confront the biggest, ugliest, and meanest butt of them all! It's a story you (and your butt) will never forget!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, butt wars, humor
My Notes: Laugh-out-loud funny, but the butt humor gets old after awhile).

How about if I do a little of both?

Like, nice review of a major literary work, Sara.

ETA: Smart assery.

LOL! Is smart assery even a word?? Doesn't matter. I can tell you're just jealous. And for that, I won't tell you how the book ends. Take that! :P

Andy Griffiths is a fantastic writer for reluctant boy readers. Have you read any of his 'Just' series of books? Just Annoying, Just Tricking, Just Crazy etc - audios of these are especially fun. My son attended one of his writing workshops years ago and was a fan for ages and yes he's read all the psycho butt books too.

No, I haven't read any of Andy Griffiths other books (this is my first), but I have seen his 'Just' series at work. (I work in a library.) Unfortunately, we don't have the audios of either series--yet. It'd be great if we could get them before the summer's over. Our junior reading program just started, so it gives me an excuse to read the more immature books I own, just so I can familiarize myself with what our patrons are reading, of course. ;) (You wouldn't believe how many times I've been asked where our Captain Underpants books are.)

Your son's so lucky to go to one of his workshops. I've never been to one of those, but Andy Griffiths definitely sounds like someone I'd like to meet. And that's awesome that your son's read all the books. I only have the second one (Zombie Butts From Uranus!), which I'll eventually read after this one, but I'm still on the look-out for used copies of the rest.

41) The TV Kid by Betsy Byars
Read: June 27 - July 17
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Lennie is addicted to television. Even reruns are more exciting than real life, and Lennie likes to pretend he's the one experiencing the drama. But Lennie's daydreams lead him into a real situation that could cost him his life-and suddenly he's in trouble more terrifying and dangerous than anything he's ever seen on TV.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, tennessee
My Notes: (Lovely. Lost another review.)

Beaver Cleaver stalks Lennie with June Cleaver's meat cleaver?

Andy Griffiths is the most funniest author I know. I don't have any friends on this library thing,could you be my first?

By the way,my name is KevinBarry if you are going to add me,thanks

#8: I wish! From what I've read (in the book and reviews), the "danger" comes from a snake. (sigh) I guess sex and violence haven't hit the 70s yet (when this book was written). But I like the rhyme. Say that one 3 times fast!

#9: Sure, Kevin, and welcome! :) Are you doing the 75 Books Challenge for this year?

42) M or F? by Lisa Papademetriou & Chris Tebbetts
Read: June 28 - (currently reading)
My Rating: ?/5
Synopsis: Gay teen Marcus helps his friend Frannie chat up her crush online, but then becomes convinced that the crush is falling for him instead.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, romance, gay, friendship, computers, illinois
My Notes: ?

sara,
you crack me up. I just now noticed how you put your subject up for this thread.
You should do stand up.
belva

Lol, I wish I were that funny, but it was kind of by accident. Everyone had such well thought-out titles (Chapter, Act, Part, etc), but mine came about because I had started the Butt Wars series by Andy Griffiths, and well, I was just in that frame of mind at the time. :P But I promise to read 1--maybe 2 (gasp!)--more mature books by the end of the year. I promise! :) Btw, I'll take a peek @ your challenge in the morning. My cats are demanding I read them a bedtime story--right now! Niters. :)

nitey nite my dear.
belva

#13. "But I promise to read 1--maybe 2 (gasp!)--more mature books by the end of the year."

Snickerdoodle, I say.

#14: Aawww, that is so adorable! My critters haven't been that small in years, but I know how that kitty feels by the end of the day. :)

#15: Well, snickerdoodle backatcha. Stranger things have happened. Can't think of what--maybe virgin births?--but I'm sure I can pull off 1 un-illustrated 10050+ page book. So :P

43) Fugitive from the Cubicle Police by Scott Adams
Read: July 2 - 11
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: This book is freedom for those who feel imprisoned in a cubicle. Called "the cartoon hero of the workplace" by the San Francisco Examiner, Dilbert is revered by technology and computer workers, engineers, white-collar types, scientists and everyone who works these days (in cubicles or not). This collection captures it all, from clueless management decrees to near revolts among the cubicly confined.
My Tags: fiction, humor, comics, series, dilbert, business
My Notes: All the characters have their funny moments, but I really liked Ratbert and Dogbert (I haven't seen them in awhile). I'll have to admit, while Dilbert's mostly funny, I sometimes don't get the techno/business babble. Goes with not being a white-collar type, I guess.

I know, I know. You're one of those twelve-year-olds locked in an adult body, which isn't a bad thing. When you're thirty and everything is wrinkled and saggy, you'll still be twelve . . .

Are you counting this as a business book?

44) How to Tell If Your Boyfriend Is the Antichrist (And If He Is, Should You Break Up with Him?) by Patricia Carlin
Read: July 7 - 7
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: When it comes to boyfriends, there's a fine line between quirks and severe personality disorders. Is he a pedophile or is he simply good with kids? How to Tell If Your Boyfriend Is the Antichrist teaches women to identify the warning signs associated with a spectrum of Mr. Wrongs, including: Cult leaders ("Does he have a problem with authority?"), Insufferable bores ("Does his dog wear a bandanna?"), Steroid addicts ("Do you admire his cleavage?"), Narcoleptics ("Is his face often soiled?"), & Trekkies ("Does he lapse into Klingon during orgasm?"). Best of all, this irreverent illustrated "guide" advises whether it's best to hang onto these guys or to quickly and safely dump them. How to Tell If Your Boyfriend Is the Antichrist is a hilarious reference (and a super gift) for single girls with a sense of humor.
My Tags: nonfiction, humor
My Notes: Hilarious! Just read the book already. ;)

#18: Wrinkled and saggy??! Gah, how dare you. (looks @ self in mirror) Well, yeah, my pants could use some ironing . . . .

And oh yes, I'm going to pretend Fugitive from the Cubicle Police is an intellectual piece of literature. At least I can halfway convince myself. ;)

45) Weetzie Bat* by Francesca Lia Block
Read: July 8 - 9
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Follows the adventures of Weetzie Bat and her L.A. friends, Dirk, Duck, and My Secret Agent Lover Man.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, series, weetzie bat, friendship, gay, los angeles, california
My Notes: Pluses: 1) It's short (most people could probably finish it in one sitting); and 2) it's trippy. Weetzie (I'm guessing her parents really hated her to name her that) and her pals definitely aren't your typical teens. I mean, who gets their wishes granted by a genie, has sex with her two gay friends to have a baby, and shacks up with a director (um, pedophile)? Minuses: it's trippy. Yes, I know I used that as a plus, but it also makes the book pretty darn confusing @ times. But I guess it doesn't help that I was half-asleep when I read it, too. (More of a 4.5, but I'm sticking with solid #s for now.)

*Touchstones the wrong title. And I'm too lazy to fix it. :P

46) The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block
Read: July 10 - 16
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Nine classic fairy tales set in modern, magical landscapes and retold with a twist.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, short stories, fairy tales
My Notes: (Lost review due to browser closing. You would think I would've learned by now.) Summarizing, this is a pretty surreal book, but nothing exceptional. The titles at least give you a hint what fairy tale it's retelling (eg, "Tiny" is Thumbelina, "Snow" is . . . well, duh), but there were a few I'd never heard before. Definitely worth reading, though, if you're into fairy tale adaptations.

47) The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Read: July 11 - 12
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: A poignant and hilarious tour of the last frontier, the ultimate forbidden zone, The Vagina Monologues is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery. Hailed as the bible for a new generation of women, it has been performed in cities all across America and at hundreds of college campuses, and has inspired a dynamic grassroots movement—V-Day—to stop violence against women. Witty and irreverent, compassionate and wise, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning masterpiece gives voice to real women's deepest fantasies and fears, guaranteeing that no one who reads it will ever look at a woman's body, or think of sex, in quite the same way again.
My Tags: nonfiction, feminism, essays, humor, sex, sociology
My Notes: I was surprised LibraryThing predicted I wouldn't like The Vagina Monologues. Just the opposite--I loved it! I bought it this past week and accidentally started thumbing through it yesterday, and just couldn't put it down after that. It was hilarious at times, moving and so positive. The first 100+ pages just flew by (astonishing for me, since I'm a very slow reader). But it was those last 50 or so pages that really slowed me down, hence the 4 stars instead of 5, which I really hate doing; but to be honest, it was boring--just a bunch of thank you notes on how college plays of The Vagina Monologues turned out. All in all, if you don't feel something from this book--empowerment, disgust, happiness, pain, something--then yeah, you're probably not human. :P And let's not forget: Vagina! Or--as one woman corrected Eve Ensler--Vulva!

48) Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime by Barbara Park
Read: July 17 - 17
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It's a mushy gushy mystery! Hurray! February 14—Valentime's Day, as June B. calls it—is just around the corner. Junie B. can't wait to see all the valentimes she'll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, valentine's day
My Notes: Favorite quote: "You are not the boss of my words," so there! :P

49) The Stargate Deck: Transformative Images for Heightened Awareness by James F. Jereb, Ph.D.
Read: July 18 - 18
My Rating: 3/5
Synopsis: The Stargate, a traditional shamanic tool, has been used in diverse cultures from ancient times as a tool of psychic expansion, for enhanced mental and intuitive acuity, and for healing. This package is comprised of a deck of 22 full-color cards and a 52-page paperback book packaged in a study, attractive gift box. For the Stargate deck, artist James Jereb created twenty-two vibrant paintings based on images from the Native American, Egyptian, Celtic, Mayan, and Asian traditions, among others. The deck is accompanied by a book, "Initiation to the Stars," that provides direction for using the cards and discusses the symbolism of the elements in Jereb's paintings. Once you have familiarized yourself with the deck and the book (in a specific initiation process), there is no limit to what the cards may show you and where they may lead you.
My Tags: nonfiction, religion, pagans, tarot cards
My Notes: There's minimal explanation of tarot reading, so this book/card set isn't optimal for a beginner-beginner (like moi). The illustrations are pretty lacking too. Still, I'll probably have a few more goes at it before giving up.

>24 saraslibrary: - I love Junie B! What a spitfire.

Same here! :) She reminds me a little of Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary. I'm nothing like Junie B., but sometimes I wish I were--I love her spirit! (I just wish Barbara Park would write more J.B. books. I have 1/2 of them, but I'm always on the prowl for more.)

50) You've Been Warned by James Patterson & Howard Roughan
Read: July 19 - Aug 5
My Rating: 3/5
Synopsis: Kristin Burns is making her way in New York City. Her photos are being considered at a major Manhattan gallery, she works by day with two wonderful children, and the man of her dreams is almost hers for keeps. But just as everything she's ever wanted is finally within reach, her life changes forever--with one murderous nightmare. Kristin wakes up every morning from the same chilling, unforgettable dream. And suddenly, it's visiting her during the day too. As her life turns stranger by the minute, Kristin is haunted and terrified. Is it all in her head? Or is the nightmare becoming her life? Kristin searches desperately for what's real through the lens of her camera, only knowing two things for sure: that no place is safe and the fate of everyone she loves lies in her hands.
My Tags: fiction, suspense, new york, photography, hell, dreams, babysitters
My Notes: Usually James Patterson books are a breeze for me to finish. Not this one. That's probably because I didn't really feel anything for the protagonist, Kristin, who's 26 but acts 16. Not to mention she's having an affair with her boss. The book was confusing at times, but it still stands out due to the supernatural element. However, the title says it all--this one's a skipper. If you're still interested, my recommendation: just cheat and read the Author's Note in the back; it explains everything.

51) Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Read: July 29 - 29
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It's Christmas Eve, and Amelia Bedelia has to get the Rogers house ready for a visit from Aunt Myra. But with Amelia Bedelia in charge, this Christmas will be one of the funniest ever!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, amelia bedelia, picture book, humor, christmas
My Notes: (none)

52) Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed by Barbara Park
Read: July 31 - Aug 1
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: There's no such thing as monsters. Mother and Daddy even said so. But then why is there monster drool on Junie B.'s pillow? Oh, no! What if Paulie Allen Puffer is right -- what if she really does have a monster under her bed? If Junie B. goes to sleep, the monster might see her feet hanging down. And he might think her piggy toes are yummy little wiener sausages!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, monsters
My Notes: I loved that Puffer kid's explanation for drool--it happens when any ol' monster under the bed "practices fitting your head in his mouth". Yeah, I always wondered how that drool got there. My more memorable nightmares and sleepless nights stemmed from watching Critters, Troll, Poltergeist, etc. Ah, good times.

53) The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates by Susan Shreve
Read: Aug 1 - 3
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It's the worst possible end to a great summer vacation: Joshua Bates finds out he has to repeat the third grade. His teachers say he needs another year "to mature." What do they expect from a nine-year-old kid? A beard? The first day of school is a complete nightmare. The fourth graders think he's a freak, the kids in his new class are babies, and his teacher looks like a two-ton tank. Joshua is totally miserable. Will he ever catch up -- or is he stuck in the third grade forever?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, joshua t bates, washington dc
My Notes: I read this one in elementary school and really liked it, but I can't remember anything else about it (other than the obvious: Joshua flunks the 3rd grade and has to repeat it); so I was very happy to stumble across this one @ HPB and decided to reread it. Joshua's fiesty bad attitude is surprisingly funny at times and was probably why I liked the book then--and why I like it now. After all, having to repeat a grade was one of my worst fears. I even have nightmares of it now as an adult. Going through school once was enough, thank you! :) (I had no idea there are 2 other Joshua T. Bates books to this series, so I'll have to give those a go.)

54) While You're Down There . . . : How to Ask for What You Want in Bed--and Get It! by Emma Dickens
Read: Aug 2 - 12
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Can't get any satisfaction? Tired of the missionary position? Does your man think foreplay is a band fronted by Chris Martin? Then look no further. In an age where sex is constantly viewed from a male perspective comes this funny and frank guide for women to get what they want in bed. Written in a no-nonsense style, this handbook cuts to the chase and reveals numerous ways to get one's man to perform successfully. Containing a mixture of sizzling tips, raunchy anecdotes, and fabulous "how-to" guides, it is essential bedtime reading for women everywhere. For women seeking inspiration from the stories of others, there are tried-and-tested techniques with examples from real-life situations. Both funny and sexy, these stories will have women crying with laughter and screaming with pleasure! If the problem is not knowing how to ask for it, there is a confidence-building section.
My Tags: nonfiction, sex
My Notes: Emma Dickens--that's gotta be a pen name. Pluses: Very short (160 pages), engaging, and fast-paced. Minuses: The communication chapter slowed me down considerably, partly because I was irritated by the whole women-are-from-Venus-men-are-from-Mars attitude. If I went by that, I'm apparently a man (ie, I space out after X amount of talking, clam up, etc), and well, last time I checked, I'm still all girl. Obviously, my communication methods are a tad rusty (where are all the mindreaders, huh??), but that has more to do with my personality than my gender, thanks. (steps off her soapbox) Overall, this was a very fun read, so I bumped it up from 4 stars to 5. I'll probably come back to this one later for reference tips and advice. It may be short, but there's a lot of info inside. (No size pun intended. ;)

#32 I'm definitely adding book 54 to the TBR pile! Thanks for the review.

No prob, lorie. Glad I could help. :) Btw, I glanced @ your profile page and noticed you were in Everett. I bought my copy of While You're Down There @ Half Price Books; so if there's one near you, you might want to check with them. Good luck. :)

I'm a very good customer of Half Price Books. I'll check for it there. Nice to know there's another Washingtonian in this group. I'm discovering that there are quite a few of us!

Same here. Sometimes I feel like I should just hand my paycheck over to them.

I'll have to pay more attention. I think I've only met a handful of Washingtonians here. :)

55) Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day by Barbara Park
Read: Aug 5 - 6
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: As captain of Room Nine's field day team, Junie B. Jones tries to rally her troops after they lose several events.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, sports
My Notes: I forgot how much I hated field day as a kid. Thanks for reminding me, Ms. Park. :P

56) George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
Read: Aug 8 - 8
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: George’s grouchy grandma needs a taste of her own medicine, and George knows just the right ingredients to put into it!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, magic
My Notes: Reminded me a bit of The Witches with the young boy and grandmother.

57) "Apart from a little dampness, Herman, how's everything else?" by Jim Unger
Read: Aug 8 - 8
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: (none)
My Tags: fiction, comics, humor, series, herman
My Notes: (none)

58) Frankenstein Moved in on the Fourth Floor by Elizabeth Levy
Read: Aug 8 - 8
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Robert and Sam suspect their weird new neighbor is really Frankenstein.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, suspense, monsters, series, sam robert bamford
My Notes: A little rough at the beginning and end, but enjoyable the rest of the way. Hope to find more in this series.

59) Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl by Barbara Park
Read: Aug 8 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It's kindergarten graduation! All the children in Room Nine are excited when they get their bright white graduation gowns. Mrs. says to keep them in their boxes until the big day. But Junie B. Jones just can't help herself. Then—uh-oh!—an accident happens! Can Junie B. find a way to fix things? Or will graduation be a spotty dotty disaster?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor
My Notes: I don't know; if I were Mrs., I'd make Junie B. repeat kindergarten so she could work on her social skills--or lack thereof--but pass her on to another teacher, of course! :) Love the series (obviously, since I'm still buying/reading the books--all out of order, I might add). Can't wait to see what Junie B.'s like in first grade (see below).

60) Junie B., First Grader (at last!) by Barbara Park
Read: Aug 9 - 11
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It’s a new school year, and everything is different. Junie B. Jones has a new class, a new teacher, and even some new friends. She also has a new problem—she might need to get glasses! Will Junie B. manage to convince her parents that her eyes are just fine the way they are? How important could that blurry stuff on the chalkboard be, anyway?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, friendship
My Notes: The obvious: miss some of the old characters (Mrs., mean Jim, shy William, etc), but Junie B.'s new enemy (Mary) and friend (Herb) should make things interesting. And from the synopsis above: "How important could that blurry stuff on the chalkboard be, anyway?" Ha! That sounds exactly like me; but somehow I managed to fake my way through school without having to wear glasses, so I can't relate completely with Junie.

61) Behave Yourself!: The Essential Guide to International Etiquette by Michael Powell
Read: Aug 13 - 15
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Learn how to walk the walk and talk the talk with this easy-to-use guide for those traveling abroad.
My Tags: nonfiction, travel, reference, series, essential guide to international
My Notes: This was a fun, brief etiquette lesson of 45 countries. Some no-no's off the top of my head: no touching the women in the Middle East (obviously), no befriending/taking home feral cats from Rome (bad, Sara, bad bad), no giving Australians a thumbs-up (I wonder what they think of LT's review rating system then), etc. The downside to this book: as I said, it's brief, so there's maybe a couple pages to learn about each culture's yes's and no's. That's not a whole lot. Plus I was disappointed the book only covered 45 countries (no North/South Korea, Philippines, Jamaica, Ireland, most of Africa, etc). Still, it almost made me want to get a Visa and travel. Meh, or I could loaf around in my pj's and watch Rick Steves'. Yeah, that's more my style. :)

62) Swimming Sweet Arrow by Maureen Gibbon
Read: Aug 14 - 27
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: A startlingly sexy first novel that has been greeted with resounding acclaim. Swimming Sweet Arrow unfolds a tale of friendship, passion, and survival that few readers will soon forget. The novel's fresh and explicit voice will appeal to readers who enjoyed Dorothy Allison's Bastard Out of Carolina and Tawni O'Dell's Back Roads.
My Tags: fiction, friendship, drug abuse, coming of age, sex
My Notes: I was surprised LT predicted I wouldn't like this book; surprised too by how many people didn't like Swimming Sweet Arrow here and on Amazon. True, it's very sexually explicit--probably too graphic for most teen readers, even though it's a coming of age story--and borders on the kinky side at times. (I'm sorry, but if I had someone's "brown eye" in my face first thing in the morning, I would not be a happy camper--and neither would he after I was done.) Thankfully, I couldn't relate to Vangie (or Vagie, as I call her, because, well, that's all she seemed to me--a walking/talking vagina) and her dysfunctional relationships, but I respected her bluntness and strength. Even though there's no happily-ever-after here, I was satisfied with Vagie's decision in the end. The quote on the back cover--"Here is what they never tell you about being a girl" (or young woman, in this case)--aptly prepares the reader for all the taboos in this book: rape, abuse, drugs, poverty, illicit sex, infidelity, etc. Not for the squeamish, but recommended for the rest of you.

63) Happy Deathday to You . . . and Other Stories to Give You Nightmares by G. E. Stanley
Read: Aug 17 - 18
My Rating: 3/5
Synopsis: A collection of chilling stories pits teens Mandy, Billy, Francine, and Dorothy against their own personal demons, including the undead, fellow classmates, a dead older sister, and a twisted little brother.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, short stories, ghosts, shapeshifters, bats, spiders
My Notes: Kids who like Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series should like this short story collection. More than half of the stories involve ghosts, but there are a few that stray from this, like "Along Came a Spider" (with some nice imagery of spiders spilling out of a girl's spiderbite like a pinata) and "Be Kind to the Animals", whose moral I'm not quite certain of. Be kind to animals or else you'll be held captive by some sadistic new girl who keeps you as her pet dog in the back yard? (Me first!) And I didn't particularly like the military-based stories or a few others--that's partly why I gave this book a 3 (more of a 3.5)--but it was that race-you-to-the-punchline feel to them that disappointed me. Still, great for reluctant readers--or people trying to complete their Paranormal 999 Challenge by the end of the year, because they were too busy reading other stuff. :)

#45: Book 63 looks good. Looking forward to hear what you thought of it

Thanks, LittleWish. Just finished it and was kind of "meh" about it. A little too short, but not bad.

64) Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Blood by Alvin Schwartz
Read: Aug 18 - 19
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Storytellers know -- just as they have for hundreds and hundreds of years -- that everyone enjoys a good, scary story! Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories 3 joins his other popular collections of scary folklore, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, to give readers spooky, funny and fantastic tales guaranteed to raise goose bumps. Who is the Wolf girl? Why is a hearse filled with men with yellow glowing eyes? Can a nightmare become reality? How do you avoid an appointment with Death? Stephen Gammell's splendidly creepy drawings perfectly capture the mood of more than two dozens scary stories -- and even a scary song -- all just right for reading along or for telling aloud in the dark.
My Tags: fiction, folklore, horror, juvenile, series, short stories, scary stories to tell in the dark, ghosts
My Notes: I can't believe I've had this book for so long and haven't read it til now. Or maybe I have and just don't remember it. I guess it pays to rummage through my collection every now and then. :) As always, this was another macabrely fun installment to this series. Stephen Gammell's illustrations are probably the best thing about this book and the others. I did appreciate the notes/sources at the end, shedding a little light on each story's origin. (Odd coincidence, this book and #63 both have spider stories almost exactly alike.)

65) Curses, Inc. and Other Stories by Vivian Vande Velde
Read: Aug 19 - 22
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: A spell that gets you land, money, long golden hair, or a date to the prom can’t be a curse, can it? A curse just gets you dead. Or does it?. . . In these ten stunning short stories, boys and girls learn firsthand just what magic spells, enchantments, and curses really can do.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, short stories, fantasy, witches, magic, curses, computers, france, new york, new orleans, historical
My Notes: First read VVV years back, Companions of the Night, which I just loved. While this collection isn't bad, I wouldn't consider it a must-read either. Most of the stories don't keep with the same humorous tone the first story, "Curses, Inc" (probably my fave of the bunch), creates. Another fun one: "To Converse with the Dumb Beasts", which most pet-owners can relate to; and I can't help but hear "My tree, my tree, my tree!" in my head whenever I see a squirrel or bird spazzing out on a branch. "Boy Witch" was pretty amusing, too, with--what else?--a boy trying to b.s. his way through some spells. A nice touch since most witches are stereotypically female. "Witch-Hunt" is not really scary in an obvious way, but more psychologically at the end. I mean, who would consider the story "Cinderella" as a Satanic bible? Just goes to show how people can twist nearly anything into a witch-hunt. Probably my biggest gripe with Curses, Inc., though, is the switch from historical story to contemporary story and back again, especially since I'm not really into historical stories at all. It all gets rather confusing after awhile. Still, VVV fans might want to try this one.

66) Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard
Read: Aug 20 - 20
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a substitute.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, teachers, series, miss nelson, picture book, texas
My Notes: One of my teachers from elementary school (5th grade, I think) used to scare the crap out of me (still does), because she reminded me a lot of Miss Viola Swamp. Great story (one of my faves as a kid), but some slower readers may not get the ending.

67) Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy by Barbara Park
Read: Aug 20 - 22
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Junie B. Jones has a pet day problem! There's going to be a pet day at school, only guess what? No dogs allowed! And that's the only kind of pet Junie B. has! If Mother and Daddy won't buy her a new pet, Junie B. will just have to find one on her own. Like maybe a jar of ants. Or a wiggly worm. Or--could it be--something even better?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, animals
My Notes: Junie B.'s surprise pet was a bit disappointing compared to all the other critters she tries to make into pets, including a dead bass (on the cover). Yeah, that child needs help. :D

68) The Scary Book compiled by Joanna Cole & Stephanie Calmenson
Read: Aug 25 - Sept 5
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: A collection of spooky stories, poems, riddles, tricks, and tongue twisters.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, short stories, jokes, games, poetry, ghosts, witches, monsters, animals
My Notes: More for the pre-Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark crowd. Memorable story: Bony-Legs by one of the compilers, Joanna Cole.

69) Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes: Volume 1 by Camilla d'Errico & Joshua Dysart
Read: Aug 28 - 28
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:WELCOME TO MAKE5WISHES.COM Hana just doesn’t fit in. At school, she feels like the invisible girl. (“No. Not invisible. Being invisible would’ve been cool. I just wasn’t worth noticing.”) And at home, she avoids her parents’ arguments by retreating to her bedroom, where she spends hours online, playing the part of various cool, smart, sexy, and popular alter egos, and kicks back with her all-time idol and very best (though only in her imagination) friend, rebel rocker Avril Lavigne. One night she runs across a mysterious website called Make5Wishes.com. Somehow, she can’t click away–and before she knows it, she’s ordered a package guaranteed to make dreams come true. But will it end up being a Pandora’s box? It all depends on the lovable but wily demon inside. Is Hana sure she knows what she wants? And does she know that what you want can be very different from what you get?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, genies, magic, graphic novel, series, avril lavignes make 5 wishes
My Notes: I had my reservations about buying this book. It wasn't the price (only 50 cents @ work--yay!), but what seemed like one more cash-in and ego trip for Avril Lavigne, who plays this perfect, wise fairy godmother type. I'm not knocking Ms. Lavigne (in fact, I love a couple of her songs), but she wasn't really necessary to the plot. Thankfully, she only makes a few cameos, passing on the spotlight to the real star of the book--Hana--and her adorable--if slightly evil--wish-granting demon (I want one!). The book ends rather abruptly, so I'm eager to get my hands on the next volume to find out what happens to Hana. (Once again, LT predicted I wouldn't like this book. At the beginning, with all the Avril worshipping, I almost had to agree, but the story grows on ya. Beautiful illustrations, too!)

70) Thriller edited by James Patterson
Read: Aug 31 - (currently reading)
My Rating: ?/5
Synopsis: Be prepared to be thrilled as you've never been before. Featuring North America's foremost thriller authors, Thriller is the first collection of pure thriller stories ever published. Offering up heart-pumping tales of suspense in all its guises are thirty-two of the most critically acclaimed and award-winning names in the business. From the signature characters that made such authors as David Morrell and John Lescroart famous to four of the hottest new voices in the genre, this blockbuster will tantalize and terrify. Lock the doors, draw the shades, pull up the covers and be prepared for Thriller to keep you up all night.
My Tags: fiction, suspense, short stories, anthology, series, thriller, california, florida, new mexico
My Notes: I'm not a big mystery/suspense reader (especially if it's legal/military/political/religious -esque), so it's no surprise that a lot of these stories were cherry-poppers for me, names I was only vaguely aware of seeing @ bookstores/libraries. The stories I did enjoy were "Empathy" by James Siegel, "The Portal" by John Lescroart & M. J. Rose (I'm a sucker for femme fatales, as you can tell)..... Looking forward to getting my (bloody) fingers on the next Thriller anthology: Thriller 2, this time edited by Clive Cussler.

71) Heidi's Bedtime Stories: Erotic Quickies for Men and Women by Heidi Cortez
Read: Sept 13 - 14
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Quickie tales of forbidden lust as perfect nightcaps for both men and women. The darling of the bedtime story, Heidi Cortez, tells of extraordinary encounters in the most ordinary places -- a laundry, a chiropractor's office, a shoe store, and a beach picnic. Dubbed by Playboy as the "acoustic acrobat of the bedroom," Cortez puts a sexy spin on receiving a titillating massage from a personal trainer, seducing a college professor, getting a sensual bra fitting, and having a true girls' night out at a strip club. After all, what's a threesome between girlfriends? With exclusive, never-before-seen pictures of the author and a tantalizing tale for every sexual appetite, these short stories are an enticing way to end an evening -- for both men and women, whether alone or with a partner.
My Tags: fiction, erotica, short stories, lesbians, new york, california, las vegas
My Notes: Sometimes too fake (naw, not Playboy ;), and nothing exceptionally kinky, but this is still a fun collection of "quickies" -- 3 - 4 pages of first person narratives (most from the female p.o.v., but I liked the switch to male too), which may make readers wonder if they're true or not. A nice touch are the half dozen or so color photos of Heidi for the more visual person(s).

72) Tomie 1: The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection by Junji Ito
Read: Sept 14 - 15
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Tomie is the girl you wish you could forget. She's the one you shouldn't have touched, shouldn't have smiled at, shouldn't have made mad. She's quite lovely--and you might just love her to death. You may kill her. She will come back to life. You try to destroy her completely. It won't work. Some piece of her is still growing, under your carpet, in your basement, in the garbage can. Junji Ito's chilling tale of horror, obsession, and revenge isn't for weak stomachs. Guaranteed to give you goosebumps!
My Tags: fiction, horror, series, tomie, graphic novel, monsters
My Notes: Bizarre and confusing as hell. What is Tomie anyway--a monster? ghost? More of a 3.5, but I figure a second reading might make more sense. There's something darkly fascinating about this book.

73) A Likely Place by Paula Fox
Read: Sept 28 - Oct 1
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: A little boy who can't spell or ever seem to please his parents spends a week with an old babysitter and makes a special friend.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, babysitters, friendship
My Notes: (none)

74) A Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Read: Sept 29 - Oct 4
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the new distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, a series of unfortunate events, orphans, siblings
My Notes: Vaguely reminded me of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken with the devious adults and mistreated orphans. I can't wait to read the whole series (preferably before the end of the year).

75) A Series of Unfortunate Events #2: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
Read: Oct 4 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: After narrowly escaping the menacing clutches of the dastardly Count Olaf, the three Baudelaire orphans are taken in by a kindly herpetologist with whom they live happily for an all-too-brief time.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, a series of unfortunate events, orphans, siblings, animals, snakes
My Notes: Nice to see that Count Olaf isn't a one-time bad guy. I was a little disappointed there wasn't a trip to Peru, though.

Even though the above message says I'm on book #75, I'm still reading--

* M or F? by Lisa Papademetriou, et al.
* Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
* The Day My Butt Went Psycho! by Andy Griffiths
* Thriller edited by James Patterson
* A Series of Unfortunate Events #2: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

--so I've really only read 70 books. (sigh) Don't get your hopes up, Sara. :(

One notable book I've read this year but don't own:


Don't Be That Guy: A Collection of 60 Guys We All Know and Wish We Didn't by Colin Nissan
Read: Oct 5 - 5
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Have you ever heard a guy say, “We’re pregnant,” and wanted to hurt him? Do you have a friend who insists a stripper was into him every time you leave a strip club? Do you know a guy who emails you the kind of porn that makes you want to cry then vomit? These are just a few of the many guys you’ll find in Don't Be That Guy.
My Tags: nonfiction, humor, checked out from work
My Notes: Surprisingly, I don't check out and read a lot of books from work, but when I do, they usually run along the Don't Be That Guy line. An even scarier note: I could see myself in some of the "that guy" lists, which is pretty damn scary, because I'm a girl. :D

76) Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
Read: Oct 9 - 21
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Now a Major Motion Picture. Schoolteacher Barbara Covett has led a solitary life until Sheba Hart, the new art teacher at St. George's, befriends her. But even as their relationship develops, so too does another: Sheba has begun an illicit affair with an underage male student. When the scandal turns into a media circus, Barbara decides to write an account in her friend's defense--and ends up revealing not only Sheba's secrets, but also her own.
My Tags: fiction, teachers, friendship, london, england
My Notes: Loved the movie so much, I had to buy the book. I liked the movie's ending a bit more (ie, Barbara's lesbian feelings are only hinted at in the book, but finally brought out of the closet, so to speak, in the movie). In the book, Sheba's much more unlikable, imo (too flaky, weak, etc.), so Cate Blanchett (who plays Sheba in the movie) and everyone else involved really did a good job of making her slightly more empathetic. Surprised (yet again) by LT's prediction: "you probably won't like Notes on a Scandal (certainty: very high)".

77) Your Momma Thinks Square Roots are Vegetables by Bill Amend
Read: Oct 12 - 12
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Whether they're starting high school for the first time, devising their own Winter Olympics, or working out ways to foil their parents, the three Fox kids never fail to create pandemonium. Since FoxTrot hit syndication in 1988, the strip has rewarded its millions of faithful readers with daily doses of family fun. Now established as one of America's most popular comic strips, FoxTrot cleverly conveys the identifiably goofy goings-on in this crazy household. At the core of much of the strip's wild humor is whiz kid Jason, age 10, who tortures his parents, Roger and Andy, and two teenage siblings, Peter and Paige, with his computer skills and his pet Iguana, Quincy. One strip in FoxTrot's newest collection, Your Momma Thinks Square Roots Are Vegetables, illustrates the family dynamics especially well: When Peter makes a racy call to girlfriend Denise on his cell phone, he's shocked to find out he's actually dialed his mother. As he enters the living room, Jason not-so-innocently says, "Oh, dear. Did someone reprogram your speed-dial list again?" Day after day, FoxTrot continues to deliver fresh, irreverent, and wacky humor. Your Momma Thinks Square Roots Are Vegetables continues the tradition with its look at family life through the eyes of Bill Amend.
My Tags: fiction, humor, comics, series, foxtrot
My Notes: (none)

78) Just Sisters: You Mess With Her, You Mess With Me by Bonnie Kuchler
Read: Oct 17 - 17
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Sisters are wonderful, and sisters are terrible. Depending on the day, the mood, the weather, or the time of day, a sister can be a companion, an adversary, an enemy, or a soulmate. But no matter what, a sister is always a best friend, and the combination of animal photos and quotes in this delightful gift book celebrate the unique duality of sisterhood.
My Tags: nonfiction, photography, animals, siblings, picture book, quotations
My Notes: I bought this one with (obviously) my sister in mind. Even though she's been dead 13 months today, I could still relate to a lot of the quotes (and pictures, which are the best thing about this book, imo), including the subtitle quote made by Maria Smedstad: "You mess with her, you mess with me." My only gripe is that Just Sisters is a little more serious and inspirational than I would've liked. I usually prefer the lighter, more humorous side of life and relationships, like in The Blue Day Book (another itty-bitty animal photo book I'd recommend).

79) The Tale of the Dark Crystal by Donna Bass
Read: Oct 17 - 18
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: On a faraway planet, Jen, the last of the Gelflings, is given the mission of restoring a missing shard to the great Crystal and preventing the tragedy of a Skeksis triump when the Three Suns merge.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, picture book, movie tie-in
My Notes: This is a nice, loose adaptation of The Dark Cyrstal for kids (though some of the creatures--the Skeksis in particular--scared the hell out of me when I was younger).

80) Junie B. Jones is a Beauty Shop Guy by Barbara Park
Read: Oct 19 - 19
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: What's the bestest job ever? A beauty shop guy, that's what! And Junie B. Jones is going to be one when she grows up. But first she needs a little practice. And a few volunteers. Like her bunny slippers. And her dog. And maybe even...herself? Is Junie B. on her way to a great new career? Or is she about to have the worst hair day ever?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor
My Notes: I think we've all been a "beauty shop guy" at one point or another when we were kids, so most people can relate to this story. My best "client": my younger sister. :)

Minus the 5 books I'm still reading--M or F? by Lisa Papademetriou, et al., Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, The Day My Butt Went Psycho! by Andy Griffiths, Thriller edited by James Patterson, and Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller--I AM OFFICIALLY FINISHED WITH THIS CHALLENGE! Woo hoo! And don't go bursting my bubble by telling me I cheated by reading kid's books. :P They're still books.

So, now I s'pose I should get to cracking on my Paranormal 999 Challenge, since I'm woefully behind on it. Or not. . . .

While I consult my Magic 8 ball about that one, here is the overflow from this challenge, books 76 81* and on . . . .: http://www.librarything.com/topic/75356

*Yeah, I can count. ;)

Congrats!

Thanks, drneutron & alcottacre! :) And I love the image. I was trying to find one earlier, but this one's perfect.

You are quite welcome, Sara.

As for the image, I pull all my gifs from www.glitter-graphics.com, so you might check there the next time you need one :)

Thanks again! :) It is now bookmarked.

Congratulations! And pleased to see you getting to know Mr Snicket too ;-)

Thanks! :) Yes, I've always wanted to read that series, but only recently found all the books as a set for super, super cheap. Hopefully, I'll finish the series by the end of the year. (fingers crossed) Are you reading it right now? Or have you already read the series?

Actually, I've only really "read" about 50% of it (an estimate). We bought the full set on CD, and listened to them last year in the car. However, since not all car journeys were undertaken by moi, and my other half was not mean enough to prevent the kids from listening when I wasn't there, I missed big chunks... but I've heard enough to love them. I think I've heard the first 5 books in their entirety, and then odd, discontiguous sections of the rest. I do fully intend to read the entire set through one day.

There's a new 4-book series out from Lemony Snicket, I think from 2011, but really what I want personally is more Baudelaires.

Hey, that's further than I've gotten. :) I only wish I could get into audiobooks, but I'm such a bad listener. I forget most of what I've heard like 2 seconds after hearing it. And I'm sure you could probably read the entire series in one day if you really set your mind to it (oh, and maybe didn't sleep either ;). A new series, huh? I'm guessing it probably won't be as popular as A Series of Unfortunate Events (most followup books aren't), but I'll still look for it. Thanks for the heads-up! :)