Trying to move blogs

I've been trying to move this blog over to wordpress. I know I moved everything here earlier this year - but I really enjoy having the separate identities of my family blog and my reading blog. With both of them on Blogger I don't really have that.

I don't know if I'm sold on WP. I'm trying to figure it out - but sometimes it's just so confusing! I'm willing to keep working at though just for the sanity of keeping things apart.

I've been posting some book reviews on there and working on getting all the blogs I follow moved over to my blogroll list. If anyone knows of any easy way to this please let me know. Since we are on vacation I've not been doing too much - but I've been keeping up with my Reading Challenges numbers. I'm getting pretty close to having three done, which would be half! Woo Hoo!

 Anyway - I wanted to let you know what I'm attempting to do - and if you want to check out any of my reviews they are at my other reading blog. Don't be alarmed, since I'm not extremely creative, it's also called Reading on Planet Caddick!

Enjoy the rest of summer and a few good books!

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Reading on Vacation

We are leaving for a trip to visit family in Ohio and Michigan. I know a lot of people read during these long drives - but reading (even looking at a map) in a moving vehicle makes me car sick like you would not believe!

What to do while we are driving hours and hours?

My husband won't listen to audiobooks (they sound too much like talk radio - another no no!). So, I took to my library - and iTunes.

I went to the online audiobook library here and downloaded a book called One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. I couldn't figure out how to download the books I really wanted, so I had to go with a MP3 that would play on a mac so I could get it onto my computer to transfer. I hope it's good.

Then I went to iTunes - last time we did a drive like this I downloaded a season of Bones to watch. This time I opted for two more audiobooks - Ill Wind by Rachel Caine and Whiskey Sour by J.A. Konrath.

Now I have three audiobooks loaded on my iPod - hopefully these will keep me occupied during the drive.

I'm also not taking any hard copy books. *GASP* I opted to take both my Nook and Kobo. There's plenty of reading on those for the days when we are just hanging out doing nothing.

How do you guys handle road trips and vacations? Do you take a lot of books with you? Are you lucky enough to be able to read in car?

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ A Witch in Time

Who and what: A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 978-0-425-23261-3 (A Bewitching Mystery #6)

What it's about: Stony Mill, Indiana's newest witch, Maggie O'Neill, has been attached at the hip to the smoking-hot Marcus Quinn. Things couldn't get any better- until her sister Mel gives birth to not one, but two babies... 

Maggie's visiting Mel in the hospital when a whispered conversation in a cafeteria sends chills down her spine. She can't make out what they're saying, but Maggie knows malice when she hears it. The next night, death visits the hospital...twice. Nobody bats an eye, but Maggie knows something sinister is haunting the hospital. Now she'll need help if she's going to tie two murders to one killer. (goodreads)

What I thought: I've been interested in reading this series for a while - I'm way more partial to witches and such rather than vampires. I can't explain that - I like vampires, I just like witches more. Anyway...I had trouble getting into this book. I think it was more because there were a lot of references to things that happened in books past that impact things that happen here. I knew I was reading them out of order; sometimes it doesn't matter - but this time it did. Also I would have liked more actual witchcraft! LOL What can I say? I probably won't read any of the other books though.

Would I recommend? I hate to say this - but no, I wouldn't. The book as a whole just didn't flow all that well, in my opionion.

Where I got it: De Bibliotheek 

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Strawberry Shortcake Murder

Who and what: Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke; Hardcover Edition; ISBN: 1-57566-644-8 *Book 2 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series*

What it's about: The stakes start rising faster than dough when a judge from the Hartland Flour company's Dessert Bake-Off is found dead in Hannah Swensen's strawberry shortcake. Can she catch the killer before he or she cooks up another recipe -- for murder? (goodreads)


What I thought about it: I really like this series. I'm getting better at picking who the murder is, and I did with this one too - but the motive slipped past me. This was a fun cozy and the recipes included sound heavenly! 


Would I recommend this book? Yes I would - fun, interesting characters and the little town of Lake Eden, MN sounds like a great place to live.


Where I got it: The library


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Dark Legacy

Who and What: Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano; eBook Version; ISBN 978-1-4285-0738-8

What it's about: “Die!” scream her nightmares. The voice is her sister’s, the compulsion stronger than any ordinary dream. 

Maddie Temple can’t go through this again. Her twin has been in a coma for the last ten years. Their psychic link was severed. At least, that’s what she thought. 

But there’s a lot Maddie doesn’t know—about the 200-year-old curse on her family, about the shadowy group that wants to exploit the Temple twins’ powers for themselves, about the sexy psychiatrist offering to help her. The only way to find the answers antd avoid being pulled into the abyss of madness is to trust her heart and confront her... Dark Legacy. (goodreads)

What I thought about it: This was another one that had reviews that varied so much I decided to take the plunge. I actually liked this book very much. I loved the whole mind melding thing - it made for an interesting twist. I didn't really care for her love interest - he was kind of a hot head - but overall it was a decent read.

Where I got it: It was a free download for my Nook.

Would I recommend it? Sure - I mean it was free - and it was pretty good.

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; Show Me the Free Reading Challenge

*recently I reviewed the audiobook Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. You can read that review here.*

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Library Thursday 7-14-11

I actually went to the library this week. Sadly it wasn't the Berlin Library that I had pictures of last week, but you know - a library is a library!

I went crazy again this week - I always go in thinking "I'm getting just ONE book" but that never happens.
Here's what I couldn't leave on the shelves this week:

Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton

and two audiobooks

Blasphemy by Douglas Preston
Tool & Die by Sarah Graves

Don't forget to visit the awesome Lazy Girl Reads, see what other people borrowed from the library, and wish her a belated happy birthday (her birthday was yesterday)!

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Raising the Dead

Who and what: Raising the Dead by Mara Purnhagen; eBook edition; ISBN 9781426888786


What it's about: As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.


What I thought about it: It was a very quick read. Not only did read quick, it was pretty good. The characters were interesting. I liked that it was a book about paranormal stuff instead of vampires and such, that was a nice change for a teen book. This book must be part of a series, because it seems like there was definitely an door left open at the end for more.


Would I recommend it: Sure - it was pretty good.


Where I got it: it was a free download from Kobo Books for my eReader


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year; A to Z Reading Challenge; Show Me the Free Reading Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Un Lun Dun

What and Who: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville; eBook edition; ISBN 978-0-345-49723-9

What it's about: By every indication, Zanna seems to be the Chosen One, the girl who is destined to set things in order and lift the evil smog. Even foxes and umbrellas pay her tribute. So when Zanna and her friend Deeba are magically transported to another realm, Un Lun Dun seems headed toward the moment of her triumph. But then, as readers of China Mieville may have already suspected, things happen that were not mentioned in prophecy -- and suddenly, 12-year-old Deeba is thrust into a world-saving situation. (goodreads)


What I thought: I've read varying reviews of this book but it just sounded so interesting I had to give it a shot. I'm glad I did. This book was extremely interesting and the descriptions of the things living in 'the other London' are wonderful. Sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, but always enjoyable. It was long - I had to break the book up by reading a novella in between (because I have a short attention span - I tend to do that a lot!). 


Would I recommend this book? Yes - a little bit of fantasy, and maybe science fiction(?) I'm not sure how to classify it but it was good.


Where I got it: Initially I checked it out from the library - but I had to return it so I bought it for my Nook.


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Library Thursday 7-7-11

Yes it's Thursday! Time to visit with Lazy Girl Reads and friends to find out what everyone got from the library this week!

I didn't go to the library this week. I'll wait while you get over the shock.

I know "Why Kris, why didn't you go to the library?" Well my friends, because it was closed until Tuesday and then I was studying for a test.

But - I'm not going to leave you empty handed. I found these pictures of the most AH MAZE ING library and I'm sharing them!

It's the library in Berlin Germany

I would enjoy nothing more than to wander around this library for about three days!

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

W... W... W... Wednesdays July 6

Time for WWW Wednesdays with MizB over at Should be Reading. Just answer these three questions and you can play too!




What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you'll read next?


I'm still working on Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. It's a very good book, it's just very long!











I just finished The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer. I needed a quick little break about halfway through Un Lun Dun!







Next, hmmm I'm not sure - maybe The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry? For once I don't have a stack of books out from the library so I'm kind of at a loss on this one!


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Who and What: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 9780316125581


What it's about: All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out. 
Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth? (goodreads)

What I thought about it: I actually enjoyed this book. I know the character was small in the Eclipse book - but I thought it was kind cool to see things from the other side of the fight. I did find it a little odd that there were no chapters though - it was just written straight through. 

Would I recommend it: Sure - it wasn't horrible by any means.

Where I got it: I bought it at Borders

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Naughty Neighbor

Who and What: Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich; Paperback (Large Print) Edition; ISBN 978-0-06-147440-8

What it's about: Louisa Brannigan's neighbor is a handsome hell-raiser—and he's driving Louisa crazy. He makes terrible coffee, steals her newspaper, and listens through her walls. But when she's fired from her government job, Louisa is persuaded to join his undercover investigation. Sneaking around in the shadows is more fun than she ever imagined, especially when the getaway car is a Porsche.

Pete Streeter never figured on finding such an attractive partner in crime. Louisa is all he ever wanted in a woman, and more. But once he's taught her to enjoy living on the edge, will she finally feel safe in his love? (goodreads)

What I thought: This book felt more like a novella. It was 200 (large print) pages of fun! I picked it because I was looking for smallish books from the library - and it ended up not being a bad pick. I would consider it a perfect beach read!

Would I recommend it: Yes. It's not deep, but it's extremely readable.

Where I got it: The Library

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Holes

Who and What: Holes by Louis Sachar; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 0-374-33265-7

What it's about: (goodreads) Stanley Yelnats is unjustly sent to Camp Green Lake where he and other boys are sentenced to dig holes to build character. Stanley learns the warden has them digging holes for something else- but what?


What I thought: OMG - have you read this book? O.K. probably but I couldn't put this thing down. I read it in one night! It was just a very well written, interesting book. I completely enjoyed it.


Where I got it: My home away from home - The Sumter County Library


Would I recommend it: Yes. I actually think Zach might like this one - so after he's done with his summer reading project I'm going to have him read it.


Challenges this book counts toward: 100 Books in a Year; 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge; 


*this book also appears on the 100 Books List at #83*


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown