Saturday, August 30, 2014

"The Mountaintop School For Dogs and Other Second Chances" by Ellen Cooney is an Interesting Read

The Mountaintop School For Dogs and Other Second Chances by Ellen Cooney is about a young lady named Evie who decides to take a job working in a sanctuary for dogs who are there to get a second chance to find a forever home.  Evie does not know all that much about dogs, but she is a quick learner. 

This is a good heartwarming story.  I really liked Evie and of course I loved the dogs!  You will find out some new things about how dogs think.  If you are a dog lover like me, it's a must read!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Four Today


Gerard's:

It was four in the morning and I was too excited to sleep.  Two weeks had passed since Sylvia's wonderful news; and now it was here--dog day! 
 From page 19 of a dog named Slugger--The true story of the service dog that changed my life by Leigh Brill.  (Non-fiction-click link for Gerard's review)


The man was still pounding on the door.  She felt something in her hand, a hard square inch of wood, and was startled to see the K tile clutched between her fingers.

From page 4 of One Kick by Chelsea Cain. (See my review--too good to not have a teaser from it.)

Karen's:

But Iola seemed to have found peace within herself, despite the rejection in her childhood and the pain in her life.  How do you cast aside a word like anathema, instead of slipping into it like second skin and living in it forever?

From page 168 (Loc. 2283 on Kindle) of The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate.

I could barely believe what I'd just seen.  I sat in the darkened room too stunned to speak.

From page 26 of A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun!
    Happy Reading!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

"A Dog Named Slugger" by Leigh Brill is a Must Read for Dog Lovers! (UPDATED)

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is the true story of Leigh and her service dog, Slugger. Leigh needs Slugger because she has Cerebral Palsy. This book tells of the special heartwarming bond they formed with some really great stories and funny moments too! It’s a must read for dog lovers. Loved it!
(Gerard's revuew5++ stars)

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is a wonderful book that shows how service dogs can help people with disabilities other than blindness.  This was new to me so I really enjoyed reading about the bond between Leigh and her dogs Slugger and Kenda.  Leigh has Cerebral Palsy and the parts where she shares her struggles before Slugger came into her life are sad.  I really felt bad for her, but overall, this book is uplifting.  For this type of book, I'm giving it 5 stars.  I was not disappointed in it because Slugger is a big part of it and I learned more about service dogs than I knew before I read it. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Friday, August 22, 2014

"Life of Pi" DVD is better than the book!

I read Life of Pi by Yann Martel back in April of 2008, but just watched the movie on DVD this past week.   I enjoyed the movie much more.  The part I found boring in the book was condensed and went quick in the movie and the lifeboat scenes were very well done!  Also, the movie wasn't as confusing as the book to me.  Richard Parker, the tiger, and Pi are both great!  It was fun seeing their relationship develop and that was my favorite part of the book as well.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Cop Town" by Karin Slaughter Has Plenty of Action



Cop Town by Karin Slaughter is fiction about two female police officers hunting for a killer—a cop killer!  There is plenty of action in this that kept me turning pages.  The language is a little on the rough side which I did not care for.  However, the twist in the middle of the book turned this into a 5-star read for me and I loved the ending!  I wouldn’t say this is a “must read” but it is well worth reading.   
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

"Merle's Door--Lessons from a Freethinking Dog" by Ted Kerasote (UPDATED)

 Merle's Door--Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote is the true story about a man named Ted.  One day while he was camping, a dog came and claimed him.  He agreed and called the dog Merle.  Merle was an amazing dog!  His story deserved to be told and Mr. Kerasote does it so well!

This is a fantastic read!  The two best dog books I ever read were A Pack of Two and Rose in a Storm, but this book now makes the list three.  It's right up there with my other two!  I LOVED IT!  If you are a dog lover, it's a must read.  Bring tissues but do not let that stop you.  So far, this is my book of the month!!  Love you, Merle.
(Gerard's review 8/14/14, 5++ stars)

I liked Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote because Merle was such an adventuresome dog and the bond he had with Ted was heartwarming.  I could have done without the research side notes that the author included about history of dogs and studies that have been done but am sure some people would find all that interesting.  Personally, I liked the parts about Merle and his adventures, his bond with Ted, and his encounters with other dogs and wildlife.  Of course, the ending made me cry but if you don't want to read the sad part, just stop before the last couple chapters.  It is a good book and I enjoyed it, probably because Merle reminded me of our dog in some ways.
(Karen's review 8/21/14, 4 stars) 


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

"Dear Daughter" by Elizabeth Little - Recommended by PEOPLE Magazine



Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little is about a young woman who is accused of killing her mother.  After years of being in prison, she gets out on a small technicality.  Most of the public thinks she is guilty.  She goes back to the small town she lived in with her mom to find out who really did it.  There is a small reward for anyone who spots her that is given by the press.   

This book was in PEOPLE magazine for one of the books of the week.  It’s pretty good in parts, but to me there was just not enough action in it.  That being said, it is well worth the read and the ending is very good!  
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)
 
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Tuesday Teasers: FIVE Today--some were too good not to do a teaser from!


Gerard's:

But despite the legions of paparazzi that have descended on the remote island, no one has been able to uncover any sign of Jenkins.
At least not yet.
 From page 27 of Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little.

There was no other way for me to start a family, and I was naive. I didn't think the identity of Rosie's father mattered, but it does.

From page 6 of Identity by Ingrid Thoft. (See my review--too good to not have a teaser from it.)

The first miracle, though, is that the dog wasn't killed outright.  Somehow, as the goods train bore down upon him, he managed to flatten himself against the track-bed and avoid fatal injuries.
From page 4 of haatchi and little b by Wendy Holden.  (click link for my review)


Karen's:

Everything in me was screaming, Run!  But I couldn't move.

From page 52 (Loc. 819 on Kindle) of The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate.

Gingerly, he put his head into the opening, and I let down the flap.  He paused, guaging the intent of the strange thing on his neck.

From page 182 of Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

    Happy Reading!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

A True Story About a Boy and His Dog: "Haatchi & Little b" by Wendy Holden

Watch this video to see what this book is about:

Haatchi and Little B by Wendy Holden is the true story of a special needs dog and a special needs little boy.  It tells how they got connect to form a special bond.  If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "love":  the love between the boy and dog, the love of the parents, the love of the various people who had connections to the dog and boy! Wendy tells the story so well you will be caught up in it quickly.  It's a feel good book that we all need to read every so often!  Don't miss this one!
(Gerard, 5 stars ++)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Friday, August 15, 2014

We Both Liked "The Good Girl" by Mary Kubica and so did our Cats! (UPDATED)


The Good Girl by Mary Kubica is about a young girl named Mia, who is kidnapped by Colin and is to be turned over to other people to be held for ransom.  That is the plan, but in life as in this book, things do not always go as planned.  What happened?  You have to read the book to find out.  You will read about Mia’s mom and dad and the detective who will stop at nothing to find her.  Mia and Colin have their own story to tell.  This is the author’s first novel and a fantastic read with a shocking ending you will not see coming at all!  Books do not get much better than this!
(Gerard's review, 8/8/14,  5++ stars)

Karen's review (4 stars):
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica is a book that moves along quickly because of the way it unfolds.  Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective and it jumps back and forth between the present and the past, not revealing the big surprise until the very end.  (No cheating and looking ahead now!)  It is about a wealthy Judge's daughter who is kidnapped and falls in love with her kidnapper!  This is a very good read with interesting characters--read it and see if you like the kidnapper.  My husband liked him but I didn't.  I thought giving the cat an important part in this novel was a nice touch.       

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!
Related Posts with Thumbnails