Hello all

For my few followers :) I am back on my blog. I had a VERY busy last couple months and could not maintain the page. My downtime is now done. IM BACK! I will be doing my reviews and maybe even doing some book giveaways, and event promoting. As a bookseller I have the opportunity to receive a multitude of books, especially YA. And create/plan author events. I will use this blog to promote Canadian and local authors.
Look forward to talking to y`all.  

Book review: Shaken by Eric Walters

Shaken, newest young adult novel from Canadian author Eric Walters. An exceptional inspiring story about courage and hope while faced through horrible circumstances. This book, offers insight in the catastrophic Haitian earthquake, and Joshua, the main character. Fifteen-year-old Josh`s life has been turned completely upside down: his mother died recently and moved away from his life. His father, a minister and several other kids, including his sister travel on a missionary trip to Haiti to help build an orphanage in the Haitian country side. Everyone around him believes in god and that god will help you and be with you no matter what. But the young man has faith issues, losing it and questioning it. But then one night catastrophe hits Haiti-the earthquake. The difficulties of faith and hope really trigger emotional pain for Josh, how will he find the courage and hope to help himself and others. How will Josh ever find faith to understand what has happened. This novel embarks you in a journey of hope and soul searching and how anyone with the right mind set can help others around them. Eric Walters wrote this book with such care and precision that you can picture every word in your mind as if you visited the country yesterday. Shaken, is definitely a book for who ever is ready to be inspired and taken through an incredible adventure.

Heartfelt story about two unusual friends who discover themselves through uncommon situations. Excellent children`s picture book author Mo Williems and illustrator Jon J Muth have once again wrote and illustrated this great book, City dog, country frog. Short tale about two unusual friends and the passing of time.

City dog all excited to run in the wild without a leash meets country frog, an old tired frog. Country frog shows country dog, country frog games. Then city dog shows country frog, city dog games. As time passes the frog gets older, and ore tired. Foreshadowing country frog leaving because of winter. Of course city dog gets very sad and lonely. But when spring comes again, city dog meets a country Chipmunk and the circle of friendship starts all over again.

Great story for kids to learn about building friendship and accepting everyone for who they are. Personally Mo Willems have written his best book to date. And those great water paint illustrators really make the meaning and words of this great story stand out.

NEW READ

Virals by Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs.

Status: Currently Reading

Ive heard about this book since April 2008. Author of #1 bestseller Tempe series, Kathy Reichs, joins forces with son Brendan Reichs in this young adult series. Personally I do not like teen books, but knowing its from Kathy Reichs I had to buy a copy, kinda through the book I realized this was an intriguing read for adults and young adults. In most book stores its categorized under 13+ but I would recommend it for ages 9-12 also. Im surprised by the level of writing from these two authors, the storyline is not similar to Kathy`s adult series but sure is a good mystery read. Still, you get the murder investigation but with less gory and graphic detail. Kathy has made a good transition from adult to teen, and maybe even Virals is a better read than her bestselling Tempe series.

Virals is a series, no date yet on second book.

Since im still in progress of reading this, here is a more thorough plot summary from goodreads.

'Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.'

A Year in Picture Books Challenge 2011

My first ever book challenge. Here it is:

Picture Book Reading Challenge hosted by An Abundance of Book. I am doing "Read 24 picture books".

Hopefully I accomplish this. Picture books are much fun and a great read every time.

Books read so far:

1.City dog country frog

2.Zero

2.Wherever you are

4.Art&Max