"The Dog Who Danced" by Susan Wilson

The Dog Who Danced by Susan Wilson has several story lines that are all good.  Justine, who while getting a ride to go see her dying father, who she has a strained relationship with, loses her dog when the trucker she is getting a ride from takes off without her and kicks out the dog!  An older couple finds and takes in the dog, but they really don't get along.  Although the dog misses Justine and keeps looking for her, it tries to fit in with the couple who rescued it.  On top of this, Justine and her step mom constantly go at each other.  Enough plot lines for you? 

I recommend you read this one because it is very, very good and so is the ending!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 are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during April to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"Nothing to Envy--Ordinary Lives in North Korea" by Barbara Demick

Nothing to Envy--Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick tells the true story of six people who lived in North Korea in the late 90s  (if you call this living).  What an eye-opening account to me of what life is like there.  For example, ". . . dogs in China ate better than doctors in North Korea." (p. 220)  I can't say enough good things about this book!  I really got a sense of what these people went through day to day and will never forget it!  If you read this, it will certainly make you glad you live in the USA!  It's fantastic!
(Gerard's review:  100 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!

We are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during April to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"Dead to You" by Lisa McMann (UPDATED)

Dead to You by Lisa McMann is a real page turner! Ethan was abducted at the age of 7 and comes back home at the age of 16. WOW!! What a great book with a good ending. I LOVED IT! I hated to see this one end even though it was a great ending.
(Gerard's review)

Karen's review:
Dead to You by Lisa McMann is about a family whose 7 yr. old son, Ethan, was abducted and he finally gets away and finds them when he's 16.  The mom, dad and little sister, Gracie, are all very happy to have him back, but their 13-yr.-old son doesn't believe it's really him and sets out to prove it.  I was surprised at the ending which left me feeling sad.    

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 are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during April to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"Hand Me Down" by Melanie Thorne

Hand Me Down by Melanie Thorne is a pretty good book told by Liz, a young teen girl.  Her mom lives with an ex-con who treats the whole family pretty bad.  Her dad is a drunk who lives with a woman and Liz's younger sister who still believes in her dad.  This leaves Liz pretty much in no-man's land when it comes to living arrangements.

This book goes quick and does have a happy ending for Liz which I am glad about.  All in all, I enjoyed it.
(Gerard'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 are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during April to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"The List" by Siobhan Vivian (UPDATED)

The List by Siobhan Vivian takes you back to high school. Every year at Mount Washington High School, "the List" of the four prettiest girls in each class and the four ugliest girls in each class comes out. This book follows all eight girls in the week leading up to the Homecoming dance on Saturday. The Homecoming dance night is really good! I loved this book and went back and forth on how I felt about each girl. I pretty much read this in just one day. Two things I'm certain of about this book are: (1) You will enjoy it; and (2) You will be glad you are not in High School anymore! If you are still in High School, you have my sympathy! Hang in there, life does get better.
(Gerard)

Karen's review:
The List by Siorhan Vivian portrays high school girls as shallow, selfish, jealous, wild and boy crazy. The premise of the book was that every year a week before homecoming, a list came out with copies posted all over the school listing the prettiest and ugliest girl for each grade 9-12. The book followed the eight girls who made "The List" and showed how it affected them. I only really liked Lauren (one of the pretty girls), Danielle (one of the "ugly" ones and Abby's sister, Fern who had made the ugly list the year before. I just didn't relate to this book at all because I was never into fashion, looks or petty jealousy as a high schooler. Nor was homecoming ever a big deal to me. I tried to imagine how I would have felt if my high school did such a thing and listed me as ugly. Bottom line is, I wouldn't pay any attention to such a stupid list.

This is a quick read though and was entertaining. I just felt annoyed my most of the girls in this book because they were so preoccupied with what others thought and expected. They all seemed to me to have very low self esteem which I found quite sad. I liked the ending though and was surprised to find out who made the list. Of the boys in this book, I really liked Milo and felt bad that his friend, Sarah, was acting so crazy and being so mean to him. He stuck by her anyway and actually helped her.

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 are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during April to Paralyzed Veterans of America.