Boy Scouts

I spend some of my free time today forcing my son to do his Boy Scout requirements.  Why do kids always really love their activities until they have to do the homework?  Human nature I guess.  Anyway, I don't believe in half doing stuff.  If he wants to be a Boy Scout, he will finish all the requirements, or he won't be a scout next year.  The good thing is it forces him away from the computer and his Legos for a short time  (He is really, really obsessed.)  and it does teach him new skills.

Spiderman

I have been reading this week, of course, but I haven't had much time.  I will post a new review as soon as I finish a book.  In the mean time, I have been reading to Midwestern son (7) every night from a chapter book he just happened to see in the middle of a library shelf in the adult section.  It is a Spiderman, adult chapter book.  It is not what I would have picked out, but he loves it.  I think it is a bit over his head, but he seems to be following the plot and enjoying listening to it every night.  I am looking forward to getting back to more kid-type books. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Friday was Dr. Seuss's Birthday.  Most elementary schools now have week long celebrations of his books with daily readings and activities.  It's a great way to break up the long winter and a great way to celebrate an author who was so influential in children's books.  I didn't get a chance to read as many of my favorite Dr. Seuss books to my son last week as I wanted to, but I intend to keep trying. 

My all time favorite:  Horton hatches the Egg!

Witch & Wizard, The Fire by Janes Patterson and Jill Dembowski

This is the third book in the Witch & Wizard series.  These books are young adult, supernatural thrillers. 

This book is pretty dark.  There is lots of horror, killing of children, mistreatment of animals, etc.  The adults are either absent, evil, or ineffective, leaving the kids to try to take back the world.  The book is full of simple symbolism with lots of children's book staple problems.  I liked the first book in the series and like each subsequent book a little less.

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

I liked Karen Marie Moning's Fever series so well, I thought I'd try her first series.  This is the first book in the Highland series.  Mostly romance books with a supernatural twist it is set in Scotland with hot, hunky heros who wear kilts and not much else.

In this book, the modern day heroine was mistreated by her former boyfriend and has sworn off all men, especially beautiful ones.  The hero lives in ancient Scotland and has somehow offended the fey by being too hot and studly with the women.  Modern day women is inserted into ancient Scotland and plot twists ensue.  I've read better romance and better supernatural stories, but all in all an entertaining read.

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Book #20 in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series

Well, sadly, I've finally read all the currently published books in the Anita Blake Series.  I am so sad; I enjoyed them so much.  Now, I will have to wait and wait to get more Anita fixes.

In this book, Anita is out of state on U.S. Marshall business.  She is working with long time friend and fellow vampire executioner Edward to solve the case.  There are no pack, no vampire, no pard, none of the things I REALLY love about the Series.  There is lots of blood, gore, grisly murder, and several fight scenes.  Her friendship with Edward grows and that is really interesting, but I missed all the rest of her guys.  Why wasn't she at least traveling with some companions to help her feed the ardeur?  It does get a little tiresome reading about how there is always a Marshal who hates Anita for no real reason.  That being said, an Anita Blake book I didn't like as well as the others still TOTALLY ROCKS! 

Sick Day

First, I have to tell all my nonexistent, loyal readers that I am no longer a stay at home mom :(  Hubby seemed jealous of my stay at home status and forced me to get a job.  (Okay, so I agreed it was time, also).  As much as I loved staying at home, I love my new job.  I am a teacher's aid at an elementary school.   I love being around the kids everyday!  My reading has suffered a bit, but I still manage.  I have had to carefully select the books I want to read, since my time is so limited now. 

Anyway, I started in October and today is the first sick day I have had to use.  The flu is ravaging my school and I was not immune.  I plan to do nothing but read and sleep.   Luckily, new good books came in to the Library yesterday.  Since I was already feeling sick, I made my daughter run in and get them (what good are kids, if they can't do your running for you) and now I am set to read and recover.