saraslibrary's 75 Books Challenge for 2010 (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 for books #26-50. Part 1 is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80762 . And Part 3: http://www.librarything.com/topic/90703 . And Part 4: http://www.librarything.com/topic/93440 . And Part 5: http://www.librarything.com/topic/98029 .

My Other Challenges:
* Paranormal TBR Challenge
* 1010 Challenge

26) Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber
Read: Feb. 27 - 27
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Lyle the crocodile lives happily with the Primm family, until one day his world is turned upside down. His neighbor, Mr. Grumps, has Lyle committed to the zoo because Lyle frightens his cat and because, well, he’s a crocodile. When zoo life doesn’t measure up to life with the Primms, Lyle and his former stage partner make a break for it . . . Will Lyle ever see his adoptive family again?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, animals, picture book, crocodiles, cats, series, lyle the crocodile, zoos
My Notes: Lyle the Crocodile was one of my favorite series as a kid; so technically, this is a re-read, but it's been so long, I've forgotten the plot. Plus it was a gift from my mom yesterday, so of course I had to read it right away before I lost it in my library.

27) The Christmas Rat by Avi
Read: Feb. 27 - 28
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Eric is in for the adventure of his life when he tries to save a rat from the exterminator.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, christmas, animals, rats, angels, blizzards
My Notes: Good story. Kinda felt like it was lacking in the end though with Eric vs the exterminator/angel (who, I might add, is an absolute ass, Angel Gabriel or not). Still, I gave it a 5, because it was pretty suspenseful. And I could relate to Eric because of a recent conflict I had over (not) killing a rat in my house. Unlike The Christmas Rat, mine didn't live. :( ETA: Could not work out the encoded phone number. Probably something biblical; and I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the Bible to want to work it out. ETA again: Here's the phone # that's supposedly in code. If anyone can figure it out, let me know.

Anjela Gabrail
Exterminator
225-5463
24-Hr Cell Phone

Found you again in your new digs!

Awesome, glad you did! :) I'll have to find out which number thread you're on now. 100 maybe? ;)

28) It's a Zoo Out There by Rachael Hale
Read: Feb. 28 - 28
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Get ready for more oohs and aahs. IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE is an extraordinary menagerie of animal portraits by celebrated photographer Rachael Hale, author of the extremely popular 101 Salivations and 101 Cataclysms. For more than eight years Hale’s ability to lovingly catch on camera some of the remarkable qualities of our four-legged, feathered, and finned friends has earned her international acclaim. Now she has gathered an amazing collection of her finest work into one beautiful volume. IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE features 101 photographs of enchanting and magnificent creatures both large and small, domestic and exotic. Hale’s special rapport with animals is illustrated in every picture. You will see it in the trusting upside-down sprawl of a sleeping lion cub named Rio; the attentive curiosity of a six-week-old puppy named Billie; and the quietly amused gaze of Barbie the camel. IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE is an affectionate and charming tribute that is sure to prove irresistible to anyone who loves animals.
My Tags: nonfiction, photography, animals, dogs, cats, pigs, lions, tigers, sheep, mice, camels, frogs, hedgehogs, rabbits, donkeys, horses, giraffes, fish, monkeys
My Notes: Very minimal on quotes, though there are some funny and thoughtful ones in here: "I purr, therefore I am." -- Anonymous; "All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it." -- Samuel Butler; "Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." --George Mikes. Mostly just huge closeups of domestic pets (cats, dogs, rabbits, etc) with some sporadic pics of wildlife (lions, chimps, etc). I was really surprised LT predicted: "{I} won't like It's a Zoo Out There (certainty: very low)". How did they figure that one?? It's all photos (so very little reading) and all animals. What's not to like?

starred you again :-)
It's a Zoo Out There looks like I would like it :-)
Anita

Your latest read sounds great! I hope my local library has a copy. And, like you, I've read books that I really enjoyed and yet LT predicted I would not like them. Most recently, I read Unwind and LT said I would not like it. I thought it was a gem!

#7: Glad to be starred. :) Yes, you would probably like this one. No Chows, but lots of dogs.

#8: I hope your library does have a copy; it's very good. Bit of a toe-crusher, though, if you drop it wrong. ;) Isn't that weird how far off LT can be when it comes to predictions? Usually it's fairly accurate, but this time it was so far, I had to make note of it. Btw, Unwind looks really good. If I find a copy, I'd definitely buy it. Thanks! :)

#5: No, only up to 5. This last one has lasted longer than the previous one that only made it a week.

#6: Already have that one in the BlackHole.

#10: Cool beans. LT should award you a Most Popular Thread award or something. Really, congrats! You have one of the most popular threads I've come across. I'm still trying to catch up with all the messages. I wonder if I could count your threads for my 75 Books Challenge? :D j/k, of course!

Glad to hear It's a Zoo Out There has entered the BlackHole. Let's hope it finds the light of day sometime. ;) You'll enjoy it. I have plenty of pets (some say too many), but it had me almost wanting to adopt more. It's certainly "ooh...ahh"-worthy.

#11: It would find the light of day a whole lot sooner if my local library carried it!

BTW - if you get to count my threads for the 75 books challenge, then so do I.

> 12
Deal Stasia!
We add one book at the end of the year for reading the threads ;-)

LOL! I'm in. But I think Stasia gets to add it as 2 books, since she kinda has to read them. (I wish I had thought of this back when I had summer reading as a kid. Think of all those cereal boxes I'd read. And road signs. And magazine ads. I'm really reaching now. But it's still reading! ;)

Maybe I should get to count each thread as a book! lol

Animal pictures!!! I'm in!!!! *races off to find book*

#15: Ha! I would if I were you. Honestly, I think if you condensed your threads, they would probably qualify as a novella at least! Or if you're really looking to pad your goals, try counting each message as a page for your Pages Read ticker. It'd add up sooo much quicker. Lucky duck! :)

Btw, I was thinking back to your message (#12) about how you were hoping your library carried certain/more books. Well, I just found out (though this may be common knowledge to most people) that our library system only spends 10-20% on new items. To me, that's nothing, especially since a lot of libraries are accommodating more Internet computers (::sigh:: we're one of them), not to mention, our incoming new items = appromixately what's being stolen, so I can't imagine our collection getting much bigger. Bleh. Makes the whole point of libraries kind of depressing. Or mabye it's just me.

#16: Hope you like it, Faith! :) It's an excellent coffeetable book. I've flipped through it several times already. One of my faves is this one:

© Rachael Hale

This picture begs for a contest for the cutest caption.

"I can't believe my person put this stupid hat on me."

"I won't sneeze. I won't sneeze. I won't sneeze."

Oh I know, right? :D S/he's probably the only dog I know who halfway looks like s/he enjoys it. Mine wouldn't stand for it.

#17: Makes the whole point of libraries kind of depressing. Or mabye it's just me.

No, it is not just you!

#20: Phew! Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.

29) Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Read: March 14, 2010 - Feb 21, 2011
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better.... Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it—not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank—letters with large red sums she can't bear to read—and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something.... Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever. Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times—and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.
My Tags: fiction, series, shopaholic, london, england, humor, shopping, debt
My Notes: I've been wanting to read this series for awhile now, but it's taken me forever to find book 1 to get it started. I've even seen the movie first (something I usually don't like to do with books); but it's been a year since I've seen that, so it shouldn't hold any sway over my opinion of the book. But now I'm a little wary: LT predicts I "probably won't like" this one. Hmm.

...and the film was so different from the book, you probably won't be swayed because of the film even if you do recall it!

The Shopaholic books are, I find, best approached as light fluff that's not to be taken seriously. I read them as pure fun!

Ha, you're probably right. All I remember about the film is something about an expensive scarf (and that's only because of the front cover on some of the books).

I look at the Shopaholic books the same way, just as a fun read. I'm not a big chick lit fan, but if it's halfway funny, I'll give it a go.

Definitely of the 'fun' variety and no deep thinking! I thought they were a hoot myself and I am not a big chick lit fan either.

Yay for no deep thinking! :) My mind's kind of been fried lately. I'm only 40-odd pages into it and already like it. But I really had to laugh at what Becky (the main character) thought was a lot on her Visa, something in the realm of $900. :D I'm sorry, but that's not bad, considering some "shopaholics" can get into the thousands of thousands. Ah well. Still enjoying it. I may even check the video out again, just to compare notes. There are lines in the books I clearly remember hearing the movie Becky narrate during the film. I'm surprised I can remember it that far back. Did you ever watch it?

The Shopaholic books must be very popular. There was an entire shelf of them for sale at the most recent library sale in my town.

#26: No, I have never watched the film. I am not much on movies these days. Too many books!

#27: I'm guessing so, too. But an entire shelf? Ouch. Maybe they're popularly disappointing then? I hope not. I'm in the first third of the book and still like it. Btw, have you read the series, or did you buy any at the sale? Danielle Steel's books are another I always find at library book sales. I'm still kind of reluctant to read anything by her, though, just for that reason (so many people giving her books away).

#28: I wish I could say the same. Movies are one of many reasons why I don't get any reading done. It's kind of nice to finish at least something in a day if it's not a book. I wonder if I could count my movies, since I watch them with subtitles/captions on. ;) Weird book habit, I guess.

30) Viking It and Like It by Jon Scieszka
Read: March 18 - 18
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Did you know that our word Thursday comes from the Viking god Thor . . . as in Thor's Day? Neither did the Time Warp Trio. Did you know that if you say "Thursday" over and over again too close to a certain magic Book, you will get sucked back to a. d. 1000 when the Vikings lived? Neither did the Time Warp Trio. Joe, Sam, and Fred are in for a wild ride as they set sail with Leif Erickson, share in a Viking feast of whale blubber, and match wits with Grim Snake-in-the-Grass while trying to find the ever-elusive Book and get back home.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, fantasy, series, humor, time warp trio, time travel, historical, canada, vikings
My Notes: Funny, informative (about origins of weekdays, last names, runes, and sagas/poetry--lots of stuff I'm sure I learned some time as a kid but have since forgotten), and (best of all) very quick.

#30: I have got to try that series of books!

Book #30 sounds delightfully fun!

#31 & 32: The series is a lot of fun; you should definitely try one. They maybe take an hour (max) to read and aren't too heavy on historical facts to bore younger readers (or people not very interested in history to begin with ::raises hand::). Good luck finding them! :)

31) Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates
Read: March 19 - 20
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: After Quentin P, a convicted sex offender, is paroled, he embarks on a series of murders, in a chilling book that is told from Quentin's point of view as he kills and eludes the police.
My Tags: fiction, horror, psychology, gay, michigan
My Notes: Vaguely reminded me of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (ie, serial killers, first-person p.o.v.), which I wasn't too terribly impressed with either. The writing style's poor (minimal punctuation, CAPS and "&"s everywhere, etc), but I suppose it helped to portray Quentin's scattered mind. It was incredibly fast paced, however, so I bumped my rating up to a "4".

I read Zombie last year and found it quite disturbing.

I've heard the same thing--that it's very disturbing--but I haven't read anything in it so far that's really shocked me. But then, I'm only on page 65 (of 181). Does it get worse after the lobotomies?

I blocked a lot of it out. I do remember that she based it on Jeffrey Dahmer.

Yeah, I don't blame you there. It's not exactly a book you'd want to flash back on. I wasn't aware she'd based Quentin on Jeffrey Dahmer, but I guess the similarities are pretty obvious--the gay fantasies, the lobotomies both guys gave their victims, even one scene where Quentin is arguing with his father over a locked locker happened with Jeffrey in real life (if I'm remembering correctly).

For me, it was disturbing because it felt like I was really inside the head of a psychopathic serial killer and it just wigged me out. Same thing when I tried to read the Dexter books. It just felt too real to me.

I guess Joyce Carol Oates did her job well then, if you can say freaking people out for money is a job well done. ;) I've been wanting to read the Dexter books for a long time now. (I only own Dearly Devoted Dexter, but want to read them in order.) I've watched the first couple seasons of the TV series, and I have to say, I'm eerily drawn to Dexter Morgan. Kind of like with Hannibal Lecter. Creepy, I know. In real life, they'd scare the crap out of me, but I only see them as fictional characters. Nothing more. Now true crime--that scares me.

I like the Dexter books and have read them all, except for the latest, which I have home from the library now. I hope you get a chance to read them, Sara.

So do I! :) I was actually going to start Dearly Devoted Dexter for my next read, but got distracted by a new buy: Vivia by Tanith Lee (see below). Plus, as I mentioned before, I really want to read the Dexter books in order. Or is that even necessary?

32) Vivia by Tanith Lee
Read: March 20, 2010 - April 4, 2011
My Rating: 3/5
Synopsis: In medieval Eastern Europe, Vivia is claimed by a dark lord who weds her, seduces her, and makes her a vampire. Then Vivia's mentor abandons her and she is found by Zulgaris, a handsome prince. He marries her but he cannot cure her hunger for blood. Is she doomed? And what will her pregnancy mean?
My Tags: fiction, horror, vampires, historical, europe
My Notes: (none)

#42: I would recommend reading them in order. It probably is not absolutely necessary, but I think you do better with Dexter if you read him from the very beginning.

Makes sense to read them in order. Thanks for the input! :) And good luck with the new Dexter book. Which one is that? Dexter by Design? I'm surprised there are so few books in the series considering how well the TV series is doing. Ah well. Gives me time to catch up with the books, so I shouldn't complain. ;)

Yes, Dexter by Design is the one I have home now.

I have never seen the TV series and really have no desire to do so.

That's too bad; it's really quite good. I have yet to meet anyone who's read the books and seen the series (it's usually one or the other). I was really curious how they compare.

33) Katherine by Anchee Min
Read: March 30 - April 10
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: A conservative classroom of Chinese students gets a taste of the Western world when their new American teacher arrives with a wild laugh and red lips to teach them English, individualism, sensuality, and all about the Beatles.
My Tags: fiction, china, historical, teachers
My Notes: At first, I thought this was a follow-up memoir to Red Azalea (which I haven't read), probably because of the first-person narrative. LT predicts I probably won't like it, but I was sucked in from the first page and have really enjoyed it so far (fingers crossed). I especially love the short scenes, maybe a page or two long, which makes the reading go a lot quicker. I was surprised this has a happy ending, considering how bleak it can be at times.

34) Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Read: April 13 - 15
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened–of himself or some other fiend.
My Tags: fiction, suspense, series, dexter, miami, florida
My Notes: I've seen the first season of Dexter, so I pretty much knew what to expect from this book. It wasn't tedious knowing everything in advance. Just the opposite. I enjoyed listening to more of Dexter's dry banter. Probably the only thing I didn't like was the ending between Dexter, Deborah, and the mysterious serial killer, which is considerably different from the TV show (the show's version is much better, imo). Other than that, I loved this book, and can't wait to get my bloody little hands on Dearly Devoted Dexter (book #2)*.

*ETA: Just noticed the next morning Dearly Devoted Dexter lurking in a pile of books I'd forgotten about, so yay for being forgetful! :)

#49: I like the Dexter books - I have the latest one home from the library and will be reading it in the next few days. I hope you enjoy the read, Sara.

I find it so ironic that I really like a Dexter even though he is a serial killer. Sometimes he reminds me of Data, the android in Star Trek: TNG in that he is always trying to feel real human emotions.

#50: Oh, lucky. I'll have to stop by your thread when I can and see what you thought of it. So far, I'm really liking Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I was shocked to find a nice copy at work yesterday for 50 cents. I just hope I can find books 2+ asap, so I can read them in order.

#51: Same here! :D He's probably one of the few likable (fictional) serial killers out there. And you're right in the comparison about Data and Dexter--no emtion whatsoever, but he's still very clever and funny.

35) Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Read: April 16 - 21
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: In this acclaimed follow-up to the bestselling novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, we pick up with Dexter Morgan when he’s under considerable pressure. It’s not easy being an ethical serial killer—but he’s doing his best to keep up the disguise, spending time with his girlfriend and her kids, slowly becoming the world’s first serial killer couch potato. Then a particularly nasty psychopath starts cutting a trail through Miami and killer whose twisted techniques leave even Dexter speechless. When his sister Deborah, a tough-as-nails cop, is drawn into the case, it becomes clear that Dexter will have to do something about it. Unless, of course, the killer finds him first . . .
My Tags: fiction, suspense, series, dexter, miami, florida
My Notes: Good, though I'm still enjoying the show more. Creative bad guy at least. Not technically a killer, as Dexter points out regarding a so-called "yodeling potato", but much worse, imho.

#49/53: Glad you are enjoying the Dexter books!

Me too. :) I didn't know what to expect, since I'd seen the show first. I'm maybe halfway through Dearly Devoted Dexter right now. At least I have tomorrow off from work, so I can catch up a bit, maybe even finish it.

Katherine sounds like it was really interesting - on to my TBR list it goes!

What did you end up thinking about Vivia? It sounds a little different than the other vamp novels that have been published recently.

You know, I hate to admit this, but I might be the only person out there who wasn't totally in love with the Dexter TV series. I know! I was surprised too, it seems like it would be right up my alley. (I think it's partially because Michael Hall kind of creeps me out no matter what he's doing.) I only watched the first episode of the first season and then stopped. I know! I really want to like this series, though. What do you think - should I give the show another shot, or should I read the books first? You haven't steered me wrong yet, Sara!

I read the first book and didn't like it that much, so haven't watched the TV series.

The books and the series take completely different tacks. Characters that are killed in the series survive in the books and there are different villains.

I can't say if watching the series past the first show would catch you or not. If you can borrow them or watch them on hulu.com, then nothing would be lost if you didn't get into them.

As you watch the series, you get more information about his "birth" as a serial killer killer and I think his psychological makeup becomes more complex and the viewer grows to feel sympathetic for him.

#56: Oops, Vivia, hmmm. I think I misplaced that one. :D Not good. But yes, it's pretty much a fangless, gothic-y story, like a lot of Tanith Lee's vampire books. If you're into that sort of thing, I'd say give it a go. It has some nice imagery, like one scene I love the best where Vivia, the proganist, is hiding out underground from the plague that is, well, plaguing her castle, and all this blood is oozing down the walls from the dying bodies, and these bats are just lapping it up. That scene has just stuck in my head for some reason, and I can't get it out.

No, I'm sure there a tons of people out there who don't like Dexter. And you're right--Michael Hall does give Dexter a very sinister appearance, but I think that's why I like him. (Does he ever play a good guy??) I'm not one to push my opinions on others, but if you're really into the whole Dexter thing, I'd say watch a few more episodes of the show first and see how it goes. I actually prefer how the show turned out better than the books. And if you still don't like the show, try the books. They're very fast (and this coming from the World's Slowest Reader--lol).

#57: Sorry to hear it turned you off that much. I like the show a little better than the books, but I think that's just because I started it first. Any chance of giving the show a try?

#58: The books and the series take completely different tacks. -- Yeah, I noticed that! I didn't want to give away too many spoilers above, but I was kind of disappointed in how Darkly Dreaming Dexter ended concerning his brother, etc. And as I'm wrapping up Dearly Devoted Dexter, I keep thinking, "Um, hello, Dexter? Remember that blood relation of yours still running loose. Any thoughts about him whatsoever??" And you're right again--the TV version of Dexter is much more sympathetic than the book version. Sure, he's funny as dark hell in the book, but I liked digging into Dexter's past a little more in the show. It was just awful those flashbacks he had as a toddler. I'm still saving up to buy all the series when I can.

36) Horrid Henry and the Bogey Babysitter by Francesca Simon
Read: April 22 - 22
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Horrid Henry encounters the babysitter from hell, traumatizes his parents on a car journey, goes trick or treating at Hallowe'en, and sabotages his school project.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, horrid henry, humor, short stories, england, babysitters, halloween, clubs
My Notes: What an unrepentant little brat! I love it. :D It's almost as if Judy Blume's Fudge character had switched places with his older brother (who, oddly enough, is also named Peter). There's no learning-your-lesson-by-the-end to these stories either, which is almost unheard of, especially in kids' fiction. Too bad this series isn't as popular here in the States, seeing as there's even an animated series across the pond. And speaking of US vs UK book versions, the story advertised in the synopsis above re: "sabotag{ing} his school project" doesn't exist in my copy (the UK one). Instead, it's "Horrid Henry's Raid", about him stealing a rival girls-only club's flag. (Not to be confused with the Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline, which is good, too.)

37) Boogiepop Dual: Losers' Circus: Volume 1 by Kouhei Kadono
Read: April 25 - 25
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Meet the all-new, all-different Boogiepop! When a female student is abducted and on the verge of being raped, Boogiepop rushes onto the scene just in time to save the day. But Boogiepop's new male alter-ego, Akizuki Takaya, finds himself in the middle of a crime wave with ties going back to the previous owner of the Boogiepop mantle.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, manga, series, boogiepop dual
My Notes: I haven't read the original Boogiepop series, so I was a bit confused by who/what Boogiepop is. Still am, but I'm working on that (I'm just now starting on the anime TV series). Too bad Boogiepop Dual is only a two-part series (though it'll make finding the "others" much easier for me--just one more to go!); it's certainly peaked my interest in the rest of the series, original and spin-offs.

38) The Other Side of the Mirror: Volume 1 by Jo Chen
Read: April 25 - 25
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: In the dismal backdrop of New York City, Southern-belle-turned-prostitute Sunny meets the college-educated Lou, who makes a living by out-drinking people at bars. What first starts as a night of drunken passion quickly spirals into unexpected love, as together they begin to search for meaning in a world that has all but deserted them... From celebrated illustrator Jo Chen (cover artist for Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight and artist for Runaways, Thor, and The Demon) comes an emotional and moving story about seeking redemption and finding everlasting love.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, the other side of the mirror, romance, manga, new york
My Notes: Certainly not your typical sappy romance story, except for maybe the ending, which seemed kind of forced, considering Sunny and Lou are pretty disillusioned characters (Lou moreso than Sunny). And short stories at the end of mangas always throw me off, like the one in here: "99 Roses". But it was funny to read Jo's interview at the end of the book, describing her aversion to "write a saccharine piece like everybody else." So what else was there but to write a "cliche romantic opening to set false expectations then crush their gooey hopes at the end"? Ha! What a romantic. ;) (ETA: LT's predict-o-meter is busted yet again. I wouldn't like The Other Side of the Mirror? Sure, I'm not a big romance fan, but I do like mangas. So :P, LT.)

39) Wolf's Rain: Volume 1 by Bones, Keiko Nobumoto
Read: April 26 - 26
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: From the creators of Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne comes this new manga take on the hit suspense anime Wolf's Rain. Humans thought the wolves died off two centuries ago in this bleak post-apocalyptic wasteland. But some survivors lurk among the humans by mentally cloaking their animal bodies. One white wolf, Kiba, scours the land for the scent of the Lunar Flower that will lead them all to Paradise....
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, sci fi, wolf's rain, shapeshifters, wolves, manga
My Notes: Yet another manga series I've started without watching the animated version first (which I'll eventually get around to). Very entertaining.

40) Princess Ai: Volume 1 by Misaho Kujiradou, Courtney Love, & D. J. Milky
Read: April 27 - 30
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Take an amazing journey with a mysterious young woman who is searching for identity and salvation in this world and beyond. Ai finds herself lost, alone and penniless on the cold, hard streets of Tokyo. With flickers of memory, she must piece together clues about who she is, how she ended up on Earth and the secret of the ornate heart-shaped box she carries with her. Sparks fly when Kent, a complicated young college student, offers his help...and possibly more. But time is running out, as the clashing forces of love and chaos close in around her...
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, manga, fantasy, romance, series, princess ai, tokyo, japan, princesses, musicians
My Notes: When I bought this, I didn't really pay attention to who it was by (I rarely do with manga, since I'm kind of new to it, and can barely pronounce the names anyway). But from the beginning few pages, Princess Ai just screamed Courtney Love, from the trashy-clothed Ai to the reference of her "heart-shaped box" (Nirvana anyone?) to her more obvious K-named love interest, Kent (::cough:: Kurt). Don't get me wrong: I find Courtney Love highly entertaining, and I have a couple of her Hole CDs; but I just found this book to be a big ego trip. That aside, I actually enjoyed this manga, so I bumped it up to a 4. Plus, I really liked the dragon-winged demon, Tess, that's hunting Ai. I mean, who wouldn't want fire-breathing dragon heads on your shoulders? Never know when you might need them. ;)

41) Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Read: April 30 - June 19
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Sookie Stackhousse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome--and Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's exactly the type of guy she's been waiting for all her life.... But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of--big surprise--murder. And when one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next....
My Tags: fiction, horror, vampires, louisiana, telepathy, series, southern vampire mysteries, shapeshifters
My Notes: I've seen the first season of True Blood (which is based on this series) and really liked it. I was surprised it was more "light horror" (or urban/mystery fantasy, whatever you want to call it) than anything else, even though it involves vampires. Same with the books--nothing graphic (but I've slapped the "horror" tag on it just for me; vamps=horror in my book). The only drawback to watching the show first is that I knew what was coming throughout the book, so it kind of slowed the pace for me.

I consider the Sookie books mystery - I don't do horror. I did try the first Anita Blake book because someone on an egroup kept posting very witty lines from the series, but the book bored me silly.

I consider the Sookie books mystery

Most everyone does. I'm just stubborn about keeping my supernatural beings in my horror tag. ;) It makes it easier for me.

I haven't read an Anita Blake book in a couple years, but as of now, with just one Sookie Stackhouse book under my belt, I like Sookie better than Anita. We'll see....

You mentioned not liking horror, which made me think maybe that's why publishers aren't marketing series like Anita and Sookie as horror but as mystery (in Sookie's case) and fantasy (in Anita's). People probably think horror is just all blood and guts (which it sometimes is, depending on the author).

42) Dracula Is a Pain in the Neck by Elizabeth Levy
Read: May 7 - 7
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Is Dracula haunting Camp Hunter Creek? Kids started calling Robert a vampire because he brought his Dracula doll to camp. Now Robert is afraid their teasing made the real Dracula angry. Weird things have been happening. Unearthly howling noises have been heard after sundown. Even the counselors are getting spooked. Then one night Robert and his older brother, Sam, see something that chills their very bones.... Is the most famous vampire of them all really haunting Camp Hunter Creek? And if he is, will Robert be his next victim?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, suspense, series, sam robert bamford, vampires, camps, toys, summer, siblings
My Notes: I liked this book a little better than the first/previous one (Frankenstein Moved in on the Fourth Floor), probably because it involved two of my favorite subjects: vampires and summer camp (even though I hated it as a kid. For some reason, it always reads better in books). I was surprised I could even remember the other book, since it was last year that I read it (among dozens of others), and it was so slim (less than 100 pages). As always, there's a logical explanation to the spooky noises and happenings, but young readers should still get a few goosebumps from it.

And speaking of goosebumps, vampires, and kids series... here's another one to help pad up my 1010 Challenge and hopefully my Paranormal Challenge as well (if there are actually any vampires in this one).

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43) Goosebumps #49: Vampire Breath by R. L. Stine
Read: May 8 - 8
My Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Tough. That's Freddy Martinez and his friend, Cara. They're not afraid of anything. But that was before they went exploring in Freddy's basement. Before they found the secret room. Before they found the bottle of Vampire Breath. Poor Freddy and Cara. They should have never opened that bottle of Vampire Breath. Because now there's a vampire in Freddy's basement. And he's very, very thirsty. . . .
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, series, goosebumps, vampires, time travel
My Notes: Note to self: Don't read reviews just before reading a book--especially ones with spoilers in them (see review on LT). Kinda ruins the end. Still I thumbed it, because almost nobody reviews these books. As usual, cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, which makes it hard to put down an R. L. Stine book. Some humor mixed in too. Take the front cover, for instance, with its caption: "Open wide and say...mouthwash!" Or Count Nightwing misplacing his fangs. Yes, only for the very immature, scary crowd. ;) The ending kind of sucked though (pun intended), with Count Nightwing's identity revealed--as well as another shocker--in just a couple of pages.

You have some great books listed on your list. I haven't been keeping up with everyone and their lists this year. I hope you enjoy the Sookie book. I know I did. I have read 3 of them I believe. My daughter or her boyfriend have the Dexter book. They love the show and now have the books. You are doing a great job. Happy Reading!!

Monica

Thanks, Monica! :) And not to worry about keeping up with everyone else's lists. If you're like me, it's hard enough keeping up with your own. ;)

I haven't finished Dead Until Dark yet (I've been trying to finish a few other books from months back; plus there are just too many good movies to watch, which has really slowed me down, reading-wise), but I'm really enjoying the Sookie series so far. In fact, I think it was you who reminded me about the series, and I was lucky enough to find a cheap(!) copy a few weeks ago, so thanks! :)

Well, your daughter and her boyfriend have excellent taste then. ;) I'm trying to save up for the TV series on DVD, but I think that'll take awhile....

I'll pop back over to your thread later on and see how you liked Down River by John Hart. Later!

Yes I know what you mean about the good movies to watch. My son has been finding some of the best movies and I have walked in and can stop watching them. I just posted my review of Down River by John Hart. You are most welcome for the reminder. I have found so many wonderful books since joining this site and also joining my library's book club, that I am quite happy to have some great entertainment outside of my everyday life. Happy Reading!!

44) The X-Files #4: Our Town by Eric Elfman
Read: May 8 - 8
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: When Mulder and Scully visit Dudley, Arkansas, home of the famous Chaco Chicken factory, they find a small town with a big secret--no one in Dudley ever seems to age. Scully's determined to find out why, but if she's not careful, she might lose her head trying to uncover Mr. Chaco's grisly recipe for youth.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, series, the x-files, novelization, tv tie-in, arkansas
My Notes: "Good people--good food." Yum. I dare you to eat chicken after reading this (or seeing the episode it was based on). Sometimes vegetarianism has its advantages, especially when your local meat processing plant goes cannibalistic on you.

45) Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch by Barbara Park
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Something very wonderful is happening to Junie B. Jones. And it’s called—hurray, hurray!—she’s getting to be a professional lunch lady! And that means hanging out with Mrs. Gutzman in the cafeteria. And standing behind the counter. And even wearing a real actual hair net! Who knows? Pretty soon she could be the boss of the whole entire lunch operation!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor
My Notes: Somehow I just wouldn't want this kid anywhere near my food. Good book, but there's something a little more mellow about Junie B. Jones (maybe since she's in first grade now?).

46) Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder by Barbara Park
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Yikes . . . It’s a looth tooth! One of Junie B. Jones’s top front teeth is loose! Only Junie B. is not that thrilled about this development. Because what if she looks like toothless Uncle Lou? And even worse . . . what’s all this tooth fairy business? Like, who is this woman, really? And what does she do with all those used teeth? So many questions, so little time.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor
My Notes: I love Junie B.'s explanation of what the tooth fairy does with teeth (hint: recycling).

47) Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band by Barbara Park
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Go Room One! It’s time for the first-grade kickball tournament! Only, here’s the problem. Junie B. has hurt her big piggy toe and she can’t play on the team. So, now what? She definitely doesn’t want to be a cheerleader. But wait! Maybe she could be in Sheldon’s halftime show! Then all eyes would be on her! And she would be the star! Hurray! Hurray! Junie B. . . . in the spotlight. What could possibly go wrong?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor
My Notes: I thought it was actually pretty sad what happened to Junie B. and Sheldon during their halftime show; but as long as Junie B. thinks she's a star, I guess that's all that matters. Yeah, I didn't believe that either. Kids are mean.

48) Junie B., First Grader: Shipwrecked by Barbara Park
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Ship Ahoy! Room One is putting on a play. And guess what? It’s about explorers looking for the New World! And there’s ships and sea captains and everything! Plus here’s the bestest news of all—Junie B. Jones thinks she might be the star of the whole entire production! Only, sailing the ocean blue is not as easy as it looks, apparently. ’Cause problems keep on happening. Like the actors keep catching the flu. And bossy May keeps trying to take over the show. Can this play be saved? Will the ships ever get to land? Or is Room One in for a disaster at sea that they will never forget?
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, acting, columbus day
My Notes: (none)

Last one, I swear! :D

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49) Junie B., First Grader: Boo...and I Mean It! by Barbara Park
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: It's Halloween! Only here's the trouble. Junie B. Jones is afraid to go trick-or-treating. 'Cause what if witches and monsters are really real? And what if pumpkins with sharp teeth can eat your feet? And don't even get her started on the candy corn problem. So how is Junie B. supposed to even enjoy this scary holiday? But then--with a little help from a friend--she gets an idea for a costume guaranteed to outscare even the creepiest competition. And so maybe Halloween will turn out to be a real scream after all!
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, series, junie b. jones, humor, halloween
My Notes: Very amusing. I never understood why people were afraid of clowns, though. The last of my Junie B. Jones stash. Bummer. Will have to be on the lookout for the few that I am missing in this series.

50) The Ghost Train by Andrew Charman
Read: May 9 - 9
My Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Everyone is getting ready for Halloween--the night when ghosts go a-spooking and witches fly through the sky. But this is a Halloween with a difference. This time it's the ghosts that get scared.... Find out how they overcome their fears and get a new job into the bargain in this humorous story, entertainingly illustrated by Sue Deakin.
My Tags: fiction, juvenile, horror, picture book, ghosts, haunted houses, halloween
My Notes: If only dark rides involved real ghosts; then they might actually be halfway scary. I have yet to find one that is.

Wow, I usually don't read that many kids books in a day. My mind has completely gone to mush! But I wanted to knock off another category in my 1010 Challenge (my Humor/Comics one, this time). 3 down; 7 more to go.... Bleh, sounds daunting. :/ But hey, at least this ends this thread, so I'm on to book #51.... Woo hoo! Go, me. :)

New thread for books #51-75 (part 3): http://www.librarything.com/topic/90703 .