Detectives in Togas

My children and I enjoyed many books in our years of home schooling. This week I am going to tell you about one of the books we read in our study of Rome. Reading books about the different historical periods was(and still is) a wonderful way to learn about history.

This tale of school age boys in Rome and their adventures to solve a mystery made learning about Rome intriguing. As they interacted with their teacher, we learned about Roman education. As they ran around the city, we discovered the make-up  and architecture of Rome. As the boys sought answers to their mysteries, we learned about Roman society. All of this information was woven throughout an interesting adventure as the boys of Xanthos' school sought to rescue their friend and schoolmate. Detectives in Togas is a Middle Grade story of 6 boys and their adventures. Why did they find their teacher bound and gagged? Why were Rufus' clothes under his bed soaking wet, and where did he disappear to? Who broke into their teacher's home? Who implicated Rufus in desecrating a Roman temple? Who desecrated the temple by writing "Caius is a dumbbell" on the temple wall? These are the mysteries that Rufus' five friends must solve in order to rescue him. 

Overall this is well done and I highly recommend it. But there is one thing I have to point out. It is that parents or caregivers talk to their children about name calling. This is never addressed or corrected in the book, nor is it necessary in the context of the story. It is a matter that is for parents or caregivers to discuss. I simply wanted to make you aware.

That's it for this week. I will be back with another review next month. Meanwhile, enjoy good books as a family. Reading together becomes a cherished memory.

Laydown Lowdown

There are two big releases in YA this week. Bestselling authors John Green and Beth Revis both have new books hitting shelves today.  "The Fault in Our Stars," by Green follows terminally ill teen Hazel as she finds love and life in a cancer support group.  "A Million Suns," by Revis is the second book in her "Across the Universe" trilogy.

Today is a great day for Mystery fans as well.  Bestselling authors T. Jefferson Parker and Elizabeth George have new serial entries out today.  "The Jaguar," is the latest "Charlie Hood" novel by Parker and "Believing the Lie," is George's latest "Inspector Linley" novel.

There is a new serial novel available for Romance fans today too.  Kresley Cole's latest, "Immortals After Dark," novel "Lothaire," will lurk on bookstore shelves today.  Meanwhile Jayne Ann Krentz releases her latest romantic suspense novel, "Copper Beach," today.

And with the presidential campaign season heating up, there are several new releases in Politics today: "Greedy Bastards: How We Can Stop Corporate Communists, Bankers and Other Vampires from Sucking America Dry," by Dylan Rattigan; "How Do You Kill 11 Million People: Why the Truth Matters More Than You Think," by Andy Andrews; and "The Obamas," by Jodi Kantor.


And that's the latest in new releases.  Will you be adding any of these titles to your 2012 Reading Challenge?  Happy Reading and remember support your local bookstore whenever possible.  Just because our blog is online doesn't mean your shopping has to be.

2012 Reading Challenge

The start of a new year is a time for new beginnings, second chances, most commonly resolutions.  Lots of people resolve to work out more, eat better, stop smoking or other aspirations for physical wellness.  Bookworms like us however, enter into friendly competitions to read more every year.

Last year, I set a personal goal to read 100 books.  As of December 31, 2011, I had only read 54.  That's practically a book a week.  Not to shabby but I want to do better.  I think everyone should read more.  And with today's economy books are a much cheaper escape than the movies.  Don't get me wrong, I love movies but the recent offerings (with the exception of Sherlock Holmes) haven't been worth the $10.

This year, I've challenged myself to 100 books again and I'm determined to reach it.  I've got one book down so far !

Jess P is aiming to match my goal of 100 while Jess B and Rebecca T are trying outdo us with their personal goals of 150.  Naomi has is aiming for somewhere in the middle with her personal goal of 115.   Finally Rachel is determined to read 75 books this year.  The other booksellers were so busy reading that they didn't let me know their goals for this year !  We'll continue to keep you posted on our progress: how much we've read, what we read etc.  Now, please share your 2012 reading goals with us.

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Becca Normandy has been missing since the final day of classes at Manderly Academy in New Hampshire last May.  She was beautiful, funny, charming, and loved by the entire student body.  She was everything the new girl is not, or was she?   The minute the new girl, whose name isn't revealed until the final pages, arrives on campus, she finds herself the victim of gossip and ridicule.  The entire student body wants the new girl to know that they'd much rather have perfect Becca back then this Florida native.  Meanwhile the new girl just wants to go through the motions and get through senior year so she can return to Florida and attend FSU with her friends back home.

This book flip-flops between both the new girl's and Becca's points of view.  The new girl faces harassment from her roommate, Dana, who was Becca's former roommate.   Dana tells the new girl how close she and Becca were.  However, Becca's point of view reveals ulterior motives as does her point of view on all her other classmates who thought she was perfect.  As the months go by, most of the new girl's classmates don't give up on their hope that Becca is alive and will be found soon.  Others begin to believe she may be dead and there certainly are a number of possible suspects.

I couldn't put this book down. It was a little far-fetched that anyones parents would send a girl to boarding school in their senior year of high school but the intense action and mystery sucks you right in and you forget all about a little detail like that.  Where is Becca isn't just the only mystery here, who is/was Becca is also a mystery as well as who is the mysterious new girl.  If you're looking for a great YA mystery then be sure to pick up "New Girl" when it's released on January 31, 2012.

Speical Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with the digital galley.

Harry Potter and History

People spend much time dissecting, arguing over and interpreting the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. It has always been an open secret that this author draws from myth and fairytale; now readers can discover what parts of Harry Potter’s world is drawn from reality.

Harry Potter and History is a new book in the Wiley Pop Culture and History Series edited by Nancy R. Reagin. The book tries to bring historical essays and social issues to the eyes of people who might otherwise remain blind. Many problems the students face at Hogwarts affect people in real life too; topics like fascism, class struggle, discrimination and aristocracy. Readers will sometimes make these connections by themselves, want further details on the subject and not know where to go. This is a great book to steer a voracious Harry Potter fan in the right direction. Contributions to this nonfiction page turner are written by a variety of authors from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.

The only issue with the book is the structure of its contents. Some of the scholars write about Hogwarts and the wizarding world in a confusing manner; it is treated as if Hogwarts, and the magicians who resided there, were real. Major characters and plot points are viewed in a mostly anthropological manner and then juxtaposed against real-life events in European history.

Using pop culture is an excellent way to disseminate facts to a larger audience. Each essay is careful to remind the reader that history is not merely facts. It is cultural and celebratory and reminds us that our modern civilization stands on the bones of a previous one. This book can be recommended to bright middle school students and inquisitive adults. Though it will not answer all of your questions for J.K. Rowling and may exacerbate House Cup related brawls, Harry Potter and History is an enjoyable read.

Laydown Lowdown

Happy New Year Everyone !  Cheers to a happy, healthy new year full of good times and great books.  The year looks to be off to a great start with the latest books available today.

YA is my favorite genre, and "Queen of Kentucky," by Alecia Whitaker is released today.  It sounds like a really sweet story about a girl who decides to shed her small town girl image for that of a big city sophisticate and along the way she discovers her true self.

"King of Isles" by Debbie Mazzuca is just one of the new romance novels out today.  Others include, "Legally Hot," a collection of three novellas by Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray and Red Garnier.  As the name implies, the romances are all set against a legal backdrop.  Similarly, "Locked and Loaded," is the latest in Alexis Grant's "Delta Force" romances.  

Author Faye Kellerman will likely return to the best-seller list with the latest Decker/Lazarus thriller, "Gun Games."

Fans of Sci-Fi/Fantasy author Lynn Kurland should be excited to see "Gift of Magic" on shelves today.  It's the latest in her Ninth Kingdom Saga.

Urban Fantasy enthusiasts may enjoy, "Born of Ashes" by Caris Roane.  The book's premise of "winged vampire warriors" sounds very intriguing.

Other new releases in fiction include: "A Walk Across the Sun," by Corban Addison which deals with human trafficking; "Love Finds a Way," by Wanda Brunstetter; and "Love Lifted Me," by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck.  The later is the third novel in the "Songbird" series.

Finally, over in cooking you can discover how to cook the perfect meal by zodiac sign with "Lobster for Leos, Cookies for Capricorns: An Astrology Lover's Cookbook," by Sabra Ricci.  This sounds like a really cool concept but I'm a Leo and I hate lobster!  Regardless, this book sounds fun.  Maybe Jess B. could make us some treats from it?

Happy Reading and remember to shop at your local bookstore whenever possible !

Confessions of a Full Time Nerd

I have always been a nerd, geek, dweeb, whatever you wish to call it. I remember picking up my NES controller for the first time to play Bubble Bobble and the feeling of home that came with it has been unmatched. Since then I have played everything from Magic the Gathering, to World of Warcraft. But there is one game that has been a staple in my life. Its a weekly event that I refuse to miss.

Every Saturday night I grab my dice bag and my Energy Drinks and I head to my Best Friend Harold's house where he sets up his DM screen and I allow myself to enter a magical land where I have pointy ears and a Morningstar that is deadly to all that cross it. Thats right every Saturday night I play Dungeons and Dragons. Now I know what you are thinking, that I am sitting in a dark basement were we all have pimples and no friends. But it quite the opposite actually! I like to think I have a copious amount of friends, and I see plenty of sunshine. Its these stigmas that stop people from unleashing their inner nerds! So I proudly shout from the rooftops I AM A NERD!

For all those illusive female nerds this book is a necessary addition to your bookshelf. Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress by Shelly Mazzanoble gave me an insight into the gaming world that was unlike any other book I have read on the subject.

Shelly goes deep into the games mechanics and also shows the decorum needed in certain situations during your gaming career. She also puts a spin on the little things a girl gamer can do to entertain her male counterparts. Such as nerd recipes that are puns on rolls needed to survive in your dungeon masters imaginary world. What I liked most about the book was how the author shows you how to survive anything your DM throws at you, from orcs to dragons, she teaches you how to dress and stay one step ahead of the game. What you will need to bring on your next quest and what monsters you may encounter on the way. The best way to play this game is to be well informed, and Shelly definitely makes sure you are.

It was such an entertaining read as I was already a gamer before reading it, but since reading it I have feel more of a equal with my male gamers and less of an outside party. So for any girl who is looking to get into Dungeons and Dragons I highly recommend picking up this book and proving to your male gamer friends that you can hold your own!