"Made In America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States" by Bill Bryson

This is my first Bill Bryson book, and I'm as excited and giddy as a little girl discovering ice cream for the first time. His writing style is a series of wonderful contradictions: light and funny while still thought-provoking, intelligent while still completely comprehendable, irrevelant but yet...so not. I picked up Made in America because of my interest in linguistics, and found a fascinating history of America drastically different (and much, much more interesting!) than any history textbook. Those interested in language will be in complete heaven as they read through the origins of some words, as well as the rejects (among my favorites: hot-dogatorium and bounceberries, the original name for cranberries). Those who love history will be delighted to see a different side of it as Bryson debunks some common myths. Anyone who loves a good writer will become obsessed with Bryson's voice. It's hard to think of anyone who won't love this trivia-filled, anecdotal history of the United States--but maybe that's because I enjoyed it so thoroughly.

By the way--this would make an excellent gift!

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

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"Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?" by Louise Rennison

I've loved the Georgia Nicholson series since they first came out nine years ago, but it was hard to be sad while reading this latest (and final!) book. In fact, it was hard to do anything but laugh hysterically. Rennison has once again shown her finesse at diving into the confused minds of teen girls, who are--in English-speak--quite mad. This final chapter in the Georgia Nicholson saga finds our protagonist choosing between Masimo, the English-impaired Italian heartthrob, or Dave the Laugh (who is, of course, a laugh). I savored every moment of Georgia and her friends' chaotic, laugh-out-loud funny lives.

A note to parents: don't be thrown off by the...err, unique titles of the books in this series. The Georgia Nicholson books are among the cleanest, most appropiate young adult books I've read. There is no drinking, no drugs, no sex...just great hilariousness that your daughter (and you, probably!) will love. This book is recommended for seventh grade and up. (Also...adults love it too! There have even been editions of this book published just for grown-ups.)

Start off with Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging and you won't be able to stop reading this fabulous series!

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

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"For The Thrill of It" by Simon Baatz

I am completely and utterly obsessed with Chicago history. I devoured the fantastic Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and, more recently, was sucked into the sinister side of the city with Sin In the Second City by Karen Abbott. "For the Thrill of It" is a compelling portrait of a heinous 1921 murder of a young Chicagoan boy by two incredibly intelligent, well-bred college students. The murder shocked the city--why would two young men with sizeable trust funds kidnap, ransom, and brutally kill a 14-year-old boy? Baatz delves not just into the crime itself but--intriguingly--the trial and its cast of fiery lawyers and politicians, including the famed lawyer Clarence Darrow and his bitter enemy, state's attorney Robert Crowe. Weaved in betweeen the crime and the courtroom drama are plenty of anecdotes about Chicago at the turn of the century that will delight any history lover. Any fan of true crime will enjoy this eerie, well-written read.

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!

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"Ghost in the Machine" by Patrick Carman

Skeleton Creek fans will not be disappointed in Patrick Carman's sequel, Ghost in the Machine! Continuing with its groundbreaking format, readers can read Ryan's account of the strange goings-on at the dredge in his journal and then watch Sarah's videos to discover the secrets buried in Skeleton Creek.

This is another sequel that I have anxiously been awaiting. I found myself feverishly reading Ryan's journal whenever I had a spare moment and then running to the nearest computer to watch Sarah's videos. I also discovered that going to sleep immediately after a sojourn to Skeleton Creek was easier said than done! Filled with suspense, intrigue, and great visual effects, Ghost in the Machine is perfect for those who loved to be scared and are looking for a spook-tacular read this Halloween!
**WARNING: This is not a book for the weak of heart. The videos can be rather frightening for young ones. I recommend this book for ages 10 and up.

Grace gives it five out of five carrots!

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"The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown

I have some sympathy for New York Times bestselling authors. After all, when your books are international bestsellers and some of the most widely read novels of all time, it must be tough brainstorming and putting together a new tome. And Dan Brown, unfortunately, has missed the mark with his latest thriller.

The Lost Symbol has the same suspenseful, jumpy narration that characterizes all of Brown's novels--enough twists and turns to interest the reader. But what you're all undoubtedly wondering is, what conspiracy theory did he delve into this time? The answer lies not in Europe like his past novels, but in our nation's capital: Washington D.C.. Brown explores our forefathers' Mason heritage and thus explains some of the architecture and symbols hidden in Washington. Drawing a kind of stretched parallel, Brown also delves into Noetic Science--a real, ancient science that suggests our thoughts can change physical matter in the world.

So we have all the classic Dan Brown elements: Robert Langdon, conspiracy theory, attractive woman sidekick. What's missing? Besides the fact that the link between Noetic Science and Masonry is stretched a little too thin, the story just lacks in comparison to his other bestsellers. The thrill factor of learning more about Washington and the secrets of Masonry hidden in the city is enough to keep the reader interested and mildly entertained, but if you're looking for an action-packed thrill ride, you'll find The Lost Symbol falls a little flat. I suggest Dan Brown's other novels (Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, or even the awesome The Deception Point if you're not too much of a Robert Langdon fan) or Steve Berry's The Romanov Prophecy for a thriller that really gets your heart racing.

Beth gives it two out of five carrots!

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Hardcover, 29.99

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

I have been waiting almost a full year for this sequel to The Hunger Games and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so engrossed I could barely put the book down long enough to eat dinner! The story picks up after Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with Peeta Mellark. There are rumors of rebellion among the districts, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. Readers are kept guessing until the end with twists and turns in every chapter. This series is excellent for those who liked The Giver and The Silenced. Now we'll just have to wait for the third and final book in the trilogy. I'm sure, like Catching Fire, it will be well worth the wait!

Grace gives it five out of five carrots!

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"Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella

*NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK! Click here!*
This book was 435 pages of pure, undiluted joyful reading. Kinsella has created her most loveable characters yet in Lara, a twenty-something klutzy, modern girl in London coping with a recent breakup, and Sadie, the ghost of her great-aunt, circa 1922. Lara didn't ASK to be haunted by the hilariously annoying Sadie, and she certainly didn't ask for a friendship--but that's what she got. Sadie has two goals for her ghostly time on earth: one, to find her beloved dragonfly necklace, and two, to live vicariously through Lara. The former lets us dive into an intriguing mystery with a beautiful finish, and the latter lets us see Lara dressed anachronistically in full 1920's costume, falling in love. You'll fall in love with every unique and skillfully drawn character, especially Sadie. A comedy, a romance, and a mystery wrapped up all in one, this is one book that will leave you wanting more!

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

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"Savannah Blues" by Mary Kay Andrews

I am always reading, but there's a frantic period near the end of the summer, when the school year is fast approaching, that I tend to binge-read. And what better author is there to sit down and read in a lazy summer afternoon than Mary Kay Andrews? Andrews' Savannah Blues makes for the perfect end-of-summer reading treat. Heroine Eloise "Weezie" Foley, an antique picker, copes with divorce (and subsequently living in her ex-husband's backyard), being accused of murder, and new love with an old boyfriend, all with her own unique brand of cyncism and hilarity. What could make this delectable book of romance and mystery even better? Its setting: Savannah, Georgia, a city which Andrews writes about with tangible affection.

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!

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"The Maxwell Daily Reader" by John C. Maxwell

Featuring timeless wisdom from fourteen of John C. Maxwell's leadership books, The Maxwell Daily Reader is an excellent resource for group inspiration. I recently attended a showchoir camp and was introduced to the book by my choreographer, Stephen Todd. He would read the daily message to us every afternoon when we were starting to feel tired and lethargic. It would rejuvenate and motivate us faster than anything else ever did. Each entry delivers a powerful leadership principle, ready for real-world practice. Anyone in need of inspiration or motivation is sure to find The Maxwell Daily Reader a perfect fit!

Grace gives it four out of five carrots!

Hardcover, 19.99

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"The Strain" by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Put together an aged Holocaust survivor (who is also the world's foremost expert on vampires) and a down-on-his-luck epidemiologist, throw in a violent vampire uprising and you get a horror story you can really sink your fangs into. Guillermo del Toro is perhaps best known for his films, like the uber-violent "Pan's Labyrinth" or the dark comedy "Hellboy". He and co-author Chuck Hogan spin a dark tale of an impeding apocalypse in this intriguing, novel first book in a trilogy that's sure to be just as compelling. Vampires in this book are not of your average Transylvanian, Count Chocula variety--they are inflicted with an incurable virus (which sounds increasingly realistic and probable through many in-book medical descriptions) that causes them to drink blood. Not through fangs, but through "stingers". Dwell on that horrifying image for a moment. I won't spoil the other imaginative changes to the "classic vampire" that del Toro dreamed up, but he has essentially invented a whole new monster. This book is 100% horror, through-and-through. You'll find yourself being jerked from story to story as del Toro and Hogan explore a wide variety of characters. Watch out for my favorite, an exterminator named Vas. As strange as it sounds, all of the research the authors poured into rat behavior (and how they are tell-tale signs for world crises) makes Vas the most interesting subplot.

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!

Hardcover, 26.99
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"Amazing Gracie" by Dan Dye

Fans of Marley and Me by John Grogan will love the tale of Gracie Dane, a partially blind albino "underdog" saved by thirty-something slacker Dan Dye. Gracie had been cast off by her littermates, her mother, and her breeder, and Dan discovered her the day before she was scheduled to be put down. From there emerges a love story between man and dog: Gracie, always awkward with a big heart (and not only because she's a Great Dane) and Dan, who had recently suffered the loss of the dog he'd been grown up with. Gracie is not an easy puppy--she goes to great lengths to have romantic rendevouzes with the uptight neighbor's Boston Terrier, and she refuses to eat anything but Dan's homemade dog cookies. She terrorizes the house on her first night home (causing the police to be called, because she was mistaken for a burglar). Her hijinks are endearing and familiar to anyone who's ever owned a dog. But truly, this is a story of Gracie's legacy--how she shaped Dan's life (and even his career). Any dog lover will laugh and cry, and read it over and over.

Beth gives it three out of five carrots!

Paperback, 10.95
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"Alive" by Piers Paul Read

Some of you may remember the tragedy of the Fairchild plane crash in the 1970's. My father sure did, and when he told me that he remembered loving this book in his youth, I had to see what my usually book-averse father "devoured". What I found was a surprisingly atypical survivor story: yes, it did have drama, yes, it did fulfill that morbid curiosity about what surviving in the worst conditions entails. The plane crashed in the middle of the Andes Mountains, harsh and nearly unsurvivable conditions. Aboard was a Rugby team from Uruguay, rich, spoiled kids who suddenly have to fend for themselves. Probably the best part of this book was how surprisingly well-written it was--not at all like those somewhat guilty pleasure reads about horrifying events, Read is a very talented writer who uses his gift to tell the story in an empathetic, yet truthful, way.

Beth gives it four out of five carrots!

Paperback, 7.99

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