"Say what You Will" by Cammie McGovern

This book deals with a young teen girl named Amy.  She is a special needs teen who needs help to get her through the day.  In her senior year of high school, she persuades her mother to hire classmates to help her instead of adults.  Matthew decides to help her but is pretty sure he will not make it through the first day.  The communications between Amy and Matthew are fantastic and is what makes this such a good read.  Along the way are some twists that test them both!  I LOVED this one and read it in just two days.  This past up my previous "book of the month" in my opinion.  It's a must read!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Now see what Karen thought of it:


While Gerard was reading this one, I took a look at it and after reading the first chapter, decided to keep going.  Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern is a teen novel about Amy, a girl who has Cerebral Palsy, and Matthew, a boy who has OCD.  When Matthew gets hired by Amy’s mom to be a peer helper for her once a week, they become friends and help each other.  This book has some funny parts as well as some serious issues.  I liked this book because it was interesting to see how Amy and Matthew’s friendship developed and their separate set of problems.  Between Amy and Matthew, I liked Matthew better.  (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!

"Keep Quiet" by Lisa Scottoline is One We Both Liked (UPDATED)

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline is a good book because the family it is about has likeable characters that I could easily identify with.  When the dad who is trying to get closer to his teenage son uses poor judgment by acting like a friend rather than a responsible parent, it starts a whirlwind of trouble.  This book is about how far parents will go to protect their loved ones and how things aren't always as bad as they may seem.  Although I liked the ending, it seemed too neat and not very believable.

I loved this book because it moved along quickly and held my interest all through.  I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in their situation and was pleasantly surprised by the ending.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

In this novel, a father looks to have bonding time with his son, but a tragic accident brings them together like never before. This is a real page turner with very good twists and turns that I did not see coming. It goes fast and it does not take long to get hooked into it. Lisa always puts out great books and this one is no exception! Do not miss it!
(Gerard's review posted 5/30/14, 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!

"Tease" by Amanda Maciel: Two Opposite Opinions Here

Tease by Amanda Maciel is based on a true story and deals with bullying.  Two girls bullied another girl who killed herself.  The twist in this book is that it is told by one of the girls who did the bullying.  I thought that was a novel concept.  I really loved this book a lot!  I got into it from the first page and was always anxious to get back to it.  The characters are very believable and true to life.  The writing was very good as well.  So far, this is my book of the month for May.  
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

I started reading Tease but didn't like it enough to finish it.  To me, the main character wasn't very likeable and I didn't care for all the swearing in it either.  It also kept jumping from the present to the past, back and forth which I found distracting and annoying.  Maybe it would appeal to a teen, but it didn't appeal to me. 
(Karen's thoughts)

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!

"The Death Class--A True Story About Life" by Erika Hayasaki

The Death Class--A True Story About Life by Erika Hayasaki tells about an actual class called "The Death Class" taught by Norma Bowe.  The author of this book took the class for four years and there is a three-year waiting list to get into it.  The author tells the true stories of four of the students which are fantastic!  This is a real page turner for sure.  Norma is an excellent teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.  Erika tells the stories very well.  Put this on your TBR list--it's worth it!
(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!

"A Woman's Passionate Pursuit of God—Creating a Positive & Purposeful Life" by Karol Ladd

A Woman's Passionate Pursuit of God—Creating a Positive & Purposeful Life by Karol Ladd took me several months to get through because I was reading it for a ladies Bible Study that met just once a month.  I finally just went ahead and finished it out.  It is actually sort of a commentary on the book of Philippians.  It has study questions in the back for use in group Bible studies in addition to the reflective thought questions at the end of each chapter.  I particularly liked that the author includes chapter summaries of the main points following each chapter to easily find main points.

After reading this book, I am going to make an effort to more gentle to all.  That is the chapter that spoke to me the most.  Although I liked her other book better, The Power of a Positive Woman, I would recommend this one too.  It has a lot of good advice and interesting examples.
(Karen'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!

"Zlata's Diary--A Child's Life in Sarajevo" by Zlata Filipovic

Zlata's Diary--A Child's Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic is her diary over a two year period of war in Sarajevo. She is 11 years old at the beginning and I was surprised to read how her life was much like that of American children. The book is pretty sad and depressing, day after day pretty much the same thing. It shows how terrible war is, how innocent people are impacted, and how very basic things made her so happy.

It made me thankful for all I have was a reminder to me that I have nothing to complain about! It goes fast but gives great insight into what it's like to live in a war zone.
(Karen's review, 3 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!

"Save Our Bones Program" by Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

When I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and told to get a prescription for a couple drugs that promote bone density, I tried them but quickly quit because they made me feel worse.  I experienced side effects that I did not want such as pain in my legs and thighs and sometimes my leg even locking up on me.  Then my doctor advised me to take Prolia, a shot every 6 months.  I didn't do that because it even had worse side effects! 

I was thrilled to come across the New Expanded Edition of Save Our Bones Program-The Revolutionary Treatment That Prevents and Reverses Bone Loss Naturally by Vivian Goldschmidt, MA which gives an alternative to taking the prescription drugs to strengthen bones.  It contains diet information, exercises specifically geared to building bone density and lots of practical things to do to improve bone health without prescription drugs based on lots of scientific research!  I ordered it for my 60th birthday.

I like the specific lists of foods, the explanations for the do's and don'ts that affect bone health and that many of the things are easy to implement.  

I recommend it to anyone who is dealing with Osteoporosis.    Time will tell if it really works but others have testified that it has worked for them.  Visit www.saveourbones.com for more information or to order the book.
(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!

"League of Denial" by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru--Must Read for NFL Fans

League of Denial by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru tells the story about the lasting effects that constantly getting hit in the head have on NFL players and how the NFL continues to ignore this problem.  The best parts of this book are the ones that center on specific players.

Being a diehard NFL fan, I knew this stuff but this book gives great background on why these players took their own lives in some cases.  I waited a long time to read this book, but it was worth the wait!  If you love football, you should read this book.  You might get a new outlook next time you see a player get knocked out!  
(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!

"Good Tidings and Great Joy--Protecting the Heart of Christmas" by Sarah Palin

GOOD TIDINGS and GREAT JOY--Protecting the Heart of Christmas by Sarah Palin is about how Christmas has changed over the years in America and where it is headed.  She shares some of her family's Christmas traditions and recipes along with some advice to Christians to stand up to preserve the true meaning of Christmas in America.  Words do matter. 

This is a thought provoking book with some shocking things that are currently happening in America that I wasn't aware of.  I agree that people should be able to acknowledge publicly that Christmas is a religious holiday and that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a Savior, Jesus Christ.  If you are interested in civil rights and religious freedom, I recommend you read this book.
(Karen's review)

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!

"David-Seeking a Heart Like His" by Beth Moore is a Fantastic Bible Study!

David-Seeking a Heart Like His by Beth Moore is the best Bible study I’ve done yet! WOW! I learned so much and it was a fantastic look at David’s whole life with its ups and downs. What an inspiration! Not only did this study focus on David’s life going through I and II Samuel but also into Kings and Chronicles. One of my favorite features of this Bible study was that she also pointed out Psalms that David wrote as he went through certain events of his life or looked back.

I found myself highlighting quite bit in both the book and my Bible as I went through this study. I spent about 45 min. to an hour a day on the daily lessons but the time flew by. There is so much life application included that it just made the scripture really come to life. Although I did it along with a group and viewed Beth Moore’s DVD once a week to introduce each week’s lessons, I got so much more from digging into the daily lessons during the week.

 If you want to grow in your walk with the Lord, this will be an eye-opener. It has raised my level of praise, worship, trust, understanding of God and prayer. I cannot say enough good about this study and highly recommend it! Now go order it!
(Karen's review)

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!

We Both Liked "Boy Nobody" by Allen Zadoff (Updated)

Boy Nobody is a YA book about a teen who actually gets to do the kinds of things one does in playing a video game.  Zach’s life is not his own, he becomes a boy assassin working for “the Program.”  He completes an assignment, killing someone, then moves away and onto the next assignment.  His choice is to complete assignments or die.  He chose to live and most of the book is about his most unusual assignment yet—a very short timeline and a girl. 

This book is a very quick read with very short chapters.  I like how the author created suspense with action which made me keep reading.  At first, I didn’t like the main character but by the end of the book, I did.  This book is written in the first person of Boy Nobody, the assassin, which is a different twist.  The best part of the book for me was getting to know Boy Nobody’s thoughts, especially when he was in danger.  I enjoyed the book but was hoping for a different ending.  

(Karen's review, 4 stars)

 
Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff is about a young teen boy who is in "The Program."  He gets assignments to kill and does them very well but this time he runs into problems.  I loved this book from cover to cover.  I was really into it!  There is plenty of action and the ending is spell binding!  
(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!

"Boy Nobody" by Allen Zadoff (UPDATED 11-5-13)

Boy Nobody is a YA book about a teen who actually gets to do the kinds of things one does in playing a video game.  Zach’s life is not his own, he becomes a boy assassin working for “the Program.”  He completes an assignment, killing someone, then moves away and onto the next assignment.  His choice is to complete assignments or die.  He chose to live and most of the book is about his most unusual assignment yet—a very short timeline and a girl. 

 

This book is a very quick read with very short chapters.  I like how the author created suspense with action which made me keep reading.  At first, I didn’t like the main character but by the end of the book, I did.  This book is written in the first person of Boy Nobody, the assassin, which is a different twist.  The best part of the book for me was getting to know Boy Nobody’s thoughts, especially when he was in danger.  I enjoyed the book but was hoping for a different ending.  

(Karen's review, 4 stars)

 
Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff is about a young teen boy who is in "The Program."  He gets assignments to kill and does them very well but this time he runs into problems.  I loved this book from cover to cover.  I was really into it!  There is plenty of action and the ending is spell binding!  
(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!

"The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty is So Good! (Updated 9/13/13)

Just gets better and better as it goes along!

updated 9/13/13:
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty reminded me of a soap opera with so many characters.  Cecelia accidentally finds a sealed envelope addressed to her with clear instructions not to open it unless her husband is dead.   Of course, the wife cannot resist opening it, and can't believe what she is reading.  It puts her in a very awkward position and doesn't know what to do. 


I did not guess what the husband's secret was until I started reading the book and then I had an idea of what it might be. There is some bad language which I did not care for and the infidelity between Tess and her husband turned me off, but overall it was a very good plot and an interesting read.  I was puzzled though that it was around Good Friday and Easter when this took place, but the season was autumn.  Easter is in the spring!  I think this would make for a good book club read.
(Karen's review)

I found out the reason The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty is No. 5 on the New York Times best seller list--it is because this book is so good!  I finished it in two days.  

The beginning part of the book sets the stage and when the husband's secret is revealed in a letter marked not to open until he dies, his wife opens it anyway.  The novel really takes off as the tension builds about if the secret which has the potential to destroy lives will be revealed to the outside world or not.  

The characters in this book are believable and I loved how all the plot lines came together at the end.  And get this:  the epilogue is very good and ends the book just right!  Put this on your TBR list, you will be glad you did!  
(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!