Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?

I'm a HUGE American Idol fan this year and most of my excitement comes from watching/listening to/laughing with Steven Tyler.  He's the best thing to happen to this show in a loooong time!  I love his comments and strangely refreshing compassion so much that I decided to buy his autobiography. I expected that there would be lewd information shared, so I braced myself before reading.  Armed with a pen to mark out the raunchy bits, I dove into his childhood last night and didn't want to come up for air.  Wow.  Let me just say that if you are an adult and you thought you knew everything there was to know about Steven Tyler, you'd be fooling yourself.  For example, I did not know his father was a classical pianist.  Did not know his family owned a bed/breakfast type resort in the 50s that caused him to be this weird hybrid of true city/true country boy.  But NOW, that I've read chapter 1, I sorta "get him" .  Can't say I totally understand his gibberish yet, but I'm sure he'll explain.  

I admit that the prologue is a bit strange and as I read it I wondered if perhaps someone on drugs may understand it a bit better, but I hung in there and it was well worth it.  His mind works in the strangest way.  

Refreshing.  Insightful.  Just what you adults out there need for summer reading.  And, if you censor it while you read, you may want to pass it on to a young adult you know...lots of good life lessons are shared early on.  

I'll continue reading and let you know if I come across anything you absolutely have to know before buying.

And in the words of Steven Tyler, "We need to go back to the way it was 30 years ago, when everybody had Grandma and Grandpa, and we were willing to pass moral judgments about right and wrong."

What did I tell you!!!?
Happy Reading!
RC 

The Throne of Fire

Book 2 in The Kane Chronicles has arrived!  The Throne of Fire promises to be as exciting an adventure as the first book, The Red Pyramid.  Author Rick Riordan pushes the limits of reality big-time in this second installment by having siblings Carter and Sadie's adventure continue with a theft of one of the most important relics in Egyptian history...the statue of Ra.  Ooh!  Naturally, they awaken ancient creatures during the process and everything turns upside down for them afterwards.  Riordan fans understand just how unique this series is...Carter and Sadie sent Riordan a cassette recording of their tales and he's simply relaying the message to us.  Ingenious. 

Love that the siblings continue their adventure and there will always be another Riordan book to look forward to.  I'm suggesting another fan riot when this series comes to an end...after all, he can't possible forget about Viking mythology !!  How about the Aztec, Mayan and Incan gods?  He can't leave out the Babylonian gods...or how about Native American nature spirits?  Oh, I think Mr. Riordan is going to a very busy (and wealthy) man. 


Now if someone would produce a Percy Jackson movie worth watching, I'd be satisfied!


Looks like we've got a plan, people!  I'll let you know when to start sending those emails.  (smile)
Until then,
Happy Reading!
RC

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites

Here's one of the Fall Book Frenzy titles you'll want to include on your summer reading list!  Vlad Tod, 8th grade vampire, is just trying to fit in and be somewhat "normal", when his teacher disappears and a weird substitute teacher takes his place.  Mr. Otis Otis (What a name!) isn't who he appears to be and soon Vladimir is thrown into the supernatural world to fight for his life! 

No wonder this book stays checked out!  It's cool! 

I love the way Heather Brewer writes...she's well aware of what tweens want to read, their humor and their fears.  This is the first book I've read in a while that actually includes a scene in which a teenager thinks they've got the situation figured out when in reality, they're sooooo wrong!  For those who have read this book, I'm talking about Valentine's Day and Vlad's feelings about Meredith.  

So glad I finally read this book.. the cover art and content are popular among our readers right now.  There are several books I "don't have" to read in our library because they sell themselves to our readers.  This is definitely one of them.

I have too many other books I need to read, but I'm putting Ninth Grade Slays on my "to read" list.
Happy Reading!
RC

Virals

North Middle kiddos, you're in for a treat, especially those of you who love James Patterson's Maximum Ride series.  Virals, by Kathy Reichs is a science fiction thriller set in South Carolina.  It follows four high school friends who find themselves genetically "enhanced" by wolf DNA and who also attempt to solve a cold case murder.  The four friends will surely attempt to solve more crimes in the future...I'm hoping for an epic series, here!

If you like television shows like CSI or Bones, you'll like this type of book.  In fact, Kathy Reichs is the creator of the Bones series.  The main character of this book, Tory Brennan, is the great-niece of Temperance Brennan, the main forensic anthropologist on Bones.

Virals is a Kentucky Bluegrass Nominee for 2011-2012, so if you read this, you'll be able to fill out a Bluegrass Buck for a chance to make $1.00 to spend at our upcoming book fair.

Once my son finishes the book, I'll catalog it and donate it to our library.  However, if you can find it for yourself, I encourage you to read it as soon as possible!


Happy Reading!
RC

I Don't Want to Kill You

Seriously, I don't.  LOL

Loved the final book in the Dan Wells trilogy about a teenage sociopath who is so aware of his future as a serial killer that he created rules for himself.  You'll have to read this series, starting with book #1, I'm Not a Serial Killer.  Follow it quickly with Mr. Monster and then you'll be ready for I Don't Want to Kill You.  At least you won't have to wait for them to be published like I did!  


Although this series is suggested for teens, I'd hesitate before offering it to them.  The first book is harsh.  The thoughts this teenage boy has about his family, friends, teachers, neighbors...it's just unbelievable.  


Took me all of a few hours to finish this book and it was well worth the wait.  If you're not squeamish about realistic scares like serial killers, then you'll enjoy the story.  It scares me to death, but it's so well-written I can't help but read it!  


I like it much better than Stephen King or Dean Koontz.


Happy Reading!
RC