The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop : What We're Reading
Saturday, September 17, 2011
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
“Wisdom’s Kiss” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Grace gives this book four and a half out of five carrots!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin
The year is 2083. Chocolate and caffeine are controlled substances, water is carefully rationed, and books are scarce. Anya Balanchine is the daughter of New York City's most notorious (and dead) crime boss and a member of one of the great chocolate families in the world, though she distances herself from them as much as possible. With a dying grandmother, a brain-damaged older brother, and a genius little sister to look after, Anya becomes the head of her immediate family. And when she falls for Win Delacroix, the new assistant DA's son, she knows the match is doomed from the start. Things become even more complicated when her bully of an ex-boyfriend is almost fatally poisoned by a bar of Balanchine chocolate and Anya is briefly thrown into prison.
I was completely caught up in the paranoia that surrounds Anya's everyday life through her association with her mafiya-esque extended family. Just when I though I had the whole thing figured out, another twist in the plot completely threw me for a loop. Anya is a strong character who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means the ultimate self-sacrifice. Plus, the love story is as sweet as it is forbidden. I think the Publisher's Weekly review says it best about this story: "Offering the excitement of a crime drama and the allure of forbidden romance, this introduction to a reluctant Godfather-in-the-making will pique the interest of dystopia-hungry readers."
Monday, August 15, 2011
"Fixing Delilah" by Sarah Ockler
Delilah's life has a habit of falling apart. Her once good grades have slumped, her boyfriend is more of a non-boyfriend, and her mother won't discuss the huge fight that divided her family eight years ago. But when her mother receives a phone call late one night saying that Delilah's grandmother has passed away, Delilah's summer starts off in a new direction. Now Delilah and her mother must return to her grandmother's house; a place they have not visited since the big family fall-out. Filled with new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test an already complex bond between mother and daughter, Delilah's summer forces her to face her family's painful history.
Having read Sarah Ockler's other young adult novel (a 2010 Kids' Indie Next List pick), Twenty Boy Summer, I was more than delighted when a copy of Fixing Delilah fell in my lap. Ockler creates such realistic characters with whom readers can instantly connect and Delilah is no exception. She's reckless and impulsive, but in a way that endears her to the reading audience. The supporting cast of characters help to create a small-town feel complete in all its hometown quirks. And although I will admit to reading the entire Twilight saga (and enjoying them), I found it refreshing to read a young adult novel that doesn't involve paranormal or supernatural beings having forbidden love affairs with mortals. But don't worry! The romance found in this story is both charming and intense enough to satisfy even the most sentimental readers.
Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!
Click here to purchase your copy of Fixing Delilah at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Friday, August 5, 2011
"A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess
Granted, Burgess is portraying a dystopian world, in which droogs run amuk, drinking vellocet-laced milk and violating devotchas. It is supposed to be horrible. For my taste, it accomplishes this goal a little too intensely, but I'd imagine if you could stomach the violence easily enough it would be a good read. The book is quite creatively written in an inventive Russian-inspired slang, which at times is rather difficult to decipher but without which the emotive character of the book would be lost. For this sake of this interesting writing, I'll give the novel a second chance once the aftertaste has left me--though that might end up being quite some time.
However, don't let this scare you away from dystopia-inspired novels. "1984", by George Orwell, is one of my all-time favorites. Though for me personally, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley doesn't hold a candle to "1984", I enjoyed reading it and know many friends have liked it just as much if not more than my beloved Orwell.
Kerry gives it 3 out of 5 carrots!
Click here to purchase "A Clockwork Orange" from the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
The characters are more than well-rounded and complete; they are fascinating. Throughout the book, you're never quite sure of whose side you're supposed to be taking, or who exactly is "the good guy". Refreshing and frustrating, it keeps you from hating the narrator Humbert Humbert, though he would normally be representative of a clearly evil character, a pedophile, and kidnaps a young "nymphet", Lolita. Nabokov spins their story, however, so that everything is seen in shades of gray rather than a distinct good and bad. It is still a love story, albeit a strange situation--but above all else, Humbert does love Lolita. And since when is love ever black and white?
Philosophy notwithstanding, the book is a classic for a reason. The first page will capture you completely, just as Lolita did Humbert. "Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."
Kerry gives "Lolita" five out of five carrots!
Click here to purchase "Lolita" from the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
"Press Here" by Herve Tullet
Just out this March, this is definitely a fantastic addition to any family's bookshelf. This little book has been raved over in every review I've read, from the basic praise "Simple in appearance, genius in execution" to being credited with proving that books need not lose out to "electronic wizardry", as they can be just as engaging. It WILL get you to smile while you're reading...and perhaps even squeak out a chuckle or too. Perfect for young children, this book is still entertaining for child-like adults (myself included!). You can't help but feel accomplished when you turn the last page; this is one to reread over and over again. To quote the book: "Bravo!"
Kerry gives "Press Here" 5 out of 5 carrots! (and it's also one of Clare's picks!)
Click here to purchase "Press Here" from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"Faith, Hope, and Ivy June" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
In "Faith, Hope, and Ivy June", Naylor does an amazing job of comparing the lives of a country girl and a city girl. Ivy June Mosley and Catherine Combs, both from Kentucky, are participating in their 7th grades' first ever student exchange program. During their two-week stays, they each are supposed to record what they honestly think of the other girl's way of living. For Catherine, living in the rustic country is a more difficult change then it sounds. Not having a shower every day, at first, definitely seems impossible. Ivy June on the other hand is amazed by the big houses and the fact that Catherine has a room all to herself! Between the two, they learn a lot about life from each other and that people from different places are, well, different!
Realistic fiction is a genre I enjoy immensely. They way the characters, places and activities are described leaves a vivid image in your mind. I would recommend "Faith, Hope and Ivy June" to any girl.
Clare gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!
Click here to purchase your copy of "Faith, Hope and Ivy June" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"I'm Not Her" by Janet Gurtler
"I'm Not Her" is an inspiring story about life and its struggles. It suggests that when a drastic changes occur in life, you sometimes need to step out of your shell. Being strong and steady for the people who are hurt and confused is very important.
Clare gives this book five out of five carrots!
Click here to purchase your copy of "I'm Not Her" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
“Stupid Fast” by Geoff Herbach
I don’t often enjoy novels that involve sports – myself being "allergic" to athletics in general – but this new novel from Geoff Herbach captivated me from the first page. The story follows Felton Reinstein, a reluctant athlete who is trying to manage friends, a first love, and a family that is falling apart. It all starts when Felton decides to give his all in a PE 600-yard race, and beats the rest of the class by more than 150 yards. Then the coach convinces him to join the football team in the fall. Felton has never had that much interest in sports, but as he puts it, “I am stupid fast.” Now he has to figure out how to juggle his newfound athletic abilities, a mother who refuses to be a parent, a genius pianist of a little brother, and the new girl in town who wants to kiss him. And even his fantastical speed won’t help him run from the shocking secret about his past!
There aren’t too many good coming-of-age books for boys, but this novel is a sure bet! Told through Felton’s witty inner monologue, this book had me laughing out loud more than once. The unique first-person narrative really helps to capture the confusing awkwardness that accompanies being a teenager and will ring true with readers of any age or gender. “This could be a dark tale”, as the first line warns, but Herbach manages to keep readers laughing just enough to realize that even in dark times, there’s always light-hearted moment or two to keep you going.
Stupid Fast comes out in June 2011.
Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!
Click here to purchase your copy of "Stupid Fast" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Friday, May 6, 2011
"Girl in Blue" by Ann Rinaldi
When Sarah Wheelock runs away from home to join the army, she knows that it is the right path for a large number of reasons. One is that her father physically abuses her at home for simply contradicting him. Also, if she stayed home, she would be forced to marry her horrible, abusive, neighbor. Satisfied with her male imitation, and knowing that she's a crack shot with a rifle, Sarah sets off to become a soldier. Along the way she takes chances-saving a confederate woman-that forces her to give up her identity, and becomes associated with some of the big names in spy history.
Girl in Blue is a thrilling realistic-fiction adventure. Having partially based it on the life of an actual girl during the Civil War, Rinaldi does a spectacular job of keeping the facts straight while putting her own twist on the story. Although this novel is written for kids in their early teens, I believe that it is a book that any history fan can thoroughly enjoy.
Clare gives Girl in Blue 5out of 5 carrots!
Click here to purchase your copy of Girl in Blue at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
"A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves, and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menken" by Michael and Barbara Foster
A young reporter named Sam Clemens, ready to print a snarky review of a play and its famous actress, sat amidst a massive crowd in a tiny theatre. As the curtain was drawn, he--and everyone else--was instantly mesmerized by the beautiful creature on stage wearing her signature pink, flesh-colored tights (and little else). Although Sam Clemens rarely let anyone escape without a scathing review, even he was blown away by young Adah Isaacs Menken.
Walt Whitman likened his friend Adah to a meteor: a flash light that could brighten up even the darkest skies. He had no way of knowing that Adah's life faded just as quickly as a meteor, when she died inexplicably, impoverished, and virtually alone. She was the most notorious woman in the world. She scandalized the elite of London and the prudish Victorians of New York. She had five husbands and never bothered with divorce. When an unknown illness claimed her life one hot summer day, she was just thirty-three.
Reading about figures from the past who have all but disappeared has always fascinated me. Adah Isaacs Menken captured the world's attention and virtually created the persona of a dangerous celebrity femme fatale--a persona that would be emulated by Clara Bow, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrichs and many other fabulous women from history. Even in a modern context, Adah's daring is astounding. She was part black (although "passed" as white, as did many men and women in the nineteenth century), bisexual, dressed frequently in men's clothes, and wore very little during her stage performances. A short review could never do Adah justice--her life is fascinating enough to fill volumes of books. The Fosters capture her life, succinctly and expertly weeding through the tall tales Adah often told to hide her past, in this biography.
Beth gives it four out of five carrots!
Click here to buy your copy of A Dangerous Woman at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
"The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival" by John Vaillant
Vaillant uncovers this attack (and the ones that followed) piece by piece, only to discover that the tiger seemingly had a plan. Tigers are vengeful creatures--they don't hunt indiscriminately, but rather stalk and murder in premeditated attacks which sometimes last days. There are some books that take you far, far beyond any experience you've ever had in your life--The Tiger is one of those stories. Vaillant does a great job describing the poverty-struck village where townspeople are all but forced to poach for food or money. The tiger, of course, is worth an exorbitant amount of money--if he doesn't get you first. Thus, the Soviet government appointed a team of men to enforce strict anti-poaching laws. The team leader, Yuri Trush, becomes wrapped up in the mystery of the tiger and is determined to stop its reign of terror.
While telling the story, Vaillant goes on many tangents--all of which are informative, relevant, and interesting. He weaves in scientific studies about tigers as well as humans, how their behaviors have changed and evolved, and historical accounts of tigers.
This book is, quite frankly, all that is man--I can't imagine any father, brother, boyfriend, etc., not being completely wrapped up in this hunter vs. hunted tale. However, Vaillant's impeccable writing and research makes this a great read for anyone interested in nature, conservation, history, behavioral psychology, and, of course, survival.
Beth gives it five out of five carrots!
Click here to buy The Tiger at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
"The Allegra Biscotti Collection" by Olivia Bennet
As an avid fan of the television show Project Runway, I was very excited when this book fell into my lap! Emma Rose is your average seventh grade girl with a flair for fashion. When a famous fashion magazine editor discovers her designs in the backroom of her father's lace shop and offers her a feature in her magazine, Emma panics and a secret identity is born: Allegra Biscotti. Allegra is everything Emma is not: cosmopolitan, sophisticated, and fearless. But when Emma has to start juggling a secret identity along with homework, a new crush, and friends, she finds out that a double life is not as glamorous as she thought.
While this book is meant for readers ages 10 and up, I still found this book to be a real treat as a college freshmen. Bennet's descriptions of the clothes and the process of making them are so precise and elaborate that the reader can picture themselves in Emma's design studio watching her work. The two-color illustrations of her sketches and doodles in the margins really bring the clothes to life and give the book a feeling of a designer's journal. This book is perfect for the tween girl with a passion for fashion!
Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!
Click here to purchase The Allegra Biscotti Collection from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!
Be sure to watch for the second book in this new series coming out in June 2011: Who, What, Wear!: The Allegra Biscotti Collection
About Me
- The Velveteen Rabbit
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- Welcome to Bunny Books, the official blog of The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop! Here is where our staff will tell you what page-turners have been keeping us up at night. Feel free to share your feedback on the titles as well, or search by tags to narrow down our picks to your interests!
The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop
20 E. Sherman Ave
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
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