Looking for Alibrandi -Melina Marchetta & The Perks of Being a Wallflower -Stephen Chbosky

I have read eight books this month and am having a hard time keeping up with the blogging. Between torential rains and getting my daughter ready for summer camp, blogging has fallen aside. These two books, however, have brought me back. The Chbosky book was on my daughter's reading list last summer as a comparison to The Catcher in the Rye. I'm not sure where she heard about the Marchetta book, but it too is reminiscent of The Catcher in the Rye. Both books were published in the 90's Looking for Alibrandi is already a movie. As a parent, my reading has grown with my children. I believe that The Catcher in the Rye will stand the test of time and deserves to be on every reading list. I am not sure that the Chbosky book deserves this status. Once again as the parent of two daughters, I find the reading lists at the school biased toward male authors. I loved the Marchetta book. True writing, great quotes and a great story. I found very little to like or appreciate about the Chbosky book.

Riding Lessons -Sara Gruen

I found this book at a yard sale for two quarters. I was reluctant as I didn't really care for "Water for Elephants" another title by the same author. I've learned over and over to give authors another chance, I really enjoyed "Riding Lessons". It is about a daughter coming home to her dying father's horse farm after a riding accident has kept her away from horses for 20 years. A horse comes to her attention that has been abused and has remarkable ties to her own past. It was an enjoyable story.

http://www.saragruen.com/

My Life in Pink & Green -Lisa Greenwald

I picked this book up at the library with my sixth-grader in mind. The main character is 12 year old Lucy Desberg who sets out to save the family drugstore. I loved Lucy's spunk and faith in her talents. I often find myself reading "junior fiction" because it is quick and gives me perspective on my own children. I loved the scene in the book where Lucy gets new sneakers and she says, "I know they're just sneakers, but a new beginning is a new beginning, even if it's just a new beginning for your feet." A very enjoyable book.

My daughter posing with the book!

The Book of Love -Kathleen McGowan

This book follows Kathleen McGowan's "The Expected One". It, like her previous work, is a treasure. I love it for it's "layered learning" concept. Yesterday, I checked out a book on the Chartres Cathedral in France as the book inspired me to learn more. The book jacket portrays a sacred labyrith at the Cathedral. The story moves back and forth between present day Maureen Pascal's search for an ancient document and Matilda of Tuscany from medieval Europe presumed to have been a caretaker of the document. It is a great read!

www.KathleenMcGowan.com

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life -Wendy Mass

Wendy Mass is an author that inspires you to read more of her work. This story involves a boy who is about to turn thirteen and is left a box by his deceased father to open on his birthday. The box needs four keys, but the keys are lost. Jeremy and his friend Lizzy are on a mission to find the four keys and unlock the father's box to find the meaning of life. I liked the part where Jeremy and Lizzy are assigned community service and the mom calls it a job, but Jeremy argues with her because they won't get paid. "A job is where you are assigned a task to complete to the best of your ability. Money or no money."

Land of Lincoln -Andrew Ferguson

This book takes a look at the impact Abraham Lincoln still has in America. The author takes us through museums and park statues all dedicated to Abe. It also looks at Lincoln impersonators, Lincoln Style Management Companies and the historical Lincoln Trail through 3 midwestern states developed by the oil industry to promote automobile travel. I loved the journey the author takes back to sites from his own childhood with his wife and children in tow. They don't find the same sense of "Lincoln Awe" as the author! Any parent can relate to this chapter. Having just visited the great state of Illionois, I enjoyed learning more about Lincoln. It is a fun read with all kinds of interesting facts.

Still Alice -by Lisa Genova

Alice Howland, the main character, is a Harvard Psychology Professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age 50. This book reads quickly and is a reminder to all of us that life can "turn on a dime". Because her disease occurs so young it also progresses very rapidly. The book is written from Alice's point of view even as her memory deteriorates. A very intersting look at what must go on inside the minds of all Alzheimer's victims.

www.StillAlice.com