People I Want to Punch in the Throat

Jen Mann's new book,  People I Want to Punch in the Throat is hysterical, and should be required reading for all overworked, exhausted moms.  You can learn more about it on her blog.

Happy reading,
Christine

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

This weekend I saw the movie version of Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  I loved the children's book, and the movie exceeded expectations.   Enjoy the trailer below:

Happy reading,
Christine

The Drop

I just finished reading  The Drop, by Dennis Lehane.  If you are looking for a quick read with suspense and a plot twist you won't see coming, try this book.  I liked that it was set in Boston, and I liked the author's references to landmarks in that city like the public library, Quincy Market, the river, etc.  So, although I can't wait to see the movie version, (I want to see James Gandolfini in one of the last films he completed) I was disappointed to see the trailer suggest Brooklyn as a setting.  I usually don't like when movies depart too far from the original, so I hope it is only the setting that has been changed, because the plot and characters were perfect.


Happy reading,
Christine

Book Picks From Someone You Don't Like

I am reading Shouldn't You Be in School? the third book in Lemony Snicket's All the Wrong Questions series.  In it, the protagonist mentions reading a book recommended to him by several people he doesn't like. It got me wondering, would you/could you read a book recommended by someone you didn't like?  Could you really enjoy the book if it was recommended by someone you didn't even like?

Happy reading,
Christine

Bullies, Victims and Bystanders in Teen Fiction

Here is a post on Bullies, Victims and Bystanders in Teen Fiction.  I hope these novels launch meaningful discussions during Bullying Prevention Month.

Happy reading,
Christine

This is Where I Leave You

This weekend I read This is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper.  While the movie trailer looks funny, and someone told me the book was hysterical, I found most of it heartbreaking.  And I guess that is what made it such a good book.  It was at once heartbreaking and funny, like life sometimes is.  But after reading such a poignant tale, I'm not sure that I'm ready to see the  movie version.  I'm not sure that I'm ready to magnify all the loneliness that exists around us, and I'm definitely looking for suggestions for a lighthearted book as my next read.

Happy reading,
Christine

Banned Books Week 2014

The last week of September is celebrated as Banned Books Week.  Click here for info on how you can celebrate literary freedom, and learn the effects of censorship on schools, libraries and communities.

Happy FREE reading,

Christine