Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

These days, even astronauts depend on flush technology.

Review: The Godfather by Mario Puzo

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

When Mario Puzo's blockbuster saga, The Godfather, was first published in 1969, critics hailed it as one of the greatest novels of our time, and "big, turbulent, highly entertaining." Since then, The Godfather has gone on to become a part of America's national culture, as well as a trilogy of landmark motion pictures. Now, in this newly-repackaged 30th Anniversary Edition, readers old and new can experience this timeless tale of crime for themselves. From the lavish opening scene where Don Corleone entertains guests and conducts business at his daughter's wedding...to his son, Michael, who takes his father's place to fight for his family...to the bloody climax where all family business is finished, The Godfather is an epic story of family, loyalty, and how "men of honor" live in their own world, and die by their own laws.

MY TAKE:
If my husband hadn't insisted that I read The Godfather, I don't think I would ever have read it.

The Godfather follows the Corleone family through the years as they try to hold on to their territory and fight off the other families of New York.

My biggest objection to reading The Godfather was the violence. I usually don't read books with a lot of violent scenes because I find books like that to be too heavy and dark. My husband insisted that it was about more than just that, so I decided to read it.

As I expected, there was a lot of violence in this book. I also didn't find the writing style all that compelling. The action, the pace and the plot were interesting, though, and I found myself turning page after page. At first, I felt there were too many characters and it was hard to keep track of who was who, but after awhile, it became much easier.

After reading, I now truly understand the different Godfather references I've seen in different movies and shows like the Simpsons over the years. Aside from that, though, I did like a few things from the book. Namely, even though the Mafia members were ruthless and had little respect for life, there were some mantras they followed or believed in that I did appreciate. One example, is the Don's belief in making friends everywhere and maintaining good relationships with everyone and helping them out without payment because someday they may help you out. Of course, these guys took it to an extreme, but the basic idea is nice.

What I didn't like, though, was the women in the novel. Except for the matriarch, and possibly Michael's first wife, I didn't like the women in the book. Connie was selfish and annoying. Kay, on the other hand, just rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.

Overall, this is a very masculine book. If you're interested in the Mafia, like violence, military strategy, etc., this book may just be your thing.

THE GOOD:

1. There are some interesting life lessons in the book.
2. There's plenty of action.
3. Michael's revenge plan was unexpected.

THE BAD:

1. Some people may find the writing style boring.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

He had learned the girl's name was Apollonia and every night he thought of her lovely face and her lovely name.

READ IT IF:

1. You liked the Godfather movies.
2. You like books with a lot of action.
3. You like books with cunning characters.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Stinky Sanitation Inventions by Katie Marsico
Shanti Saves Her Money by Lisa Bullard (Author), Christine Schneider (Illustrator)

Review: ABC of Toronto by Per-Henrik Gürth

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

This alphabet book celebrates the sights and sounds of Ontario's vibrant capital. Joining Per-Henrik G?rth's friendly animal characters as they explore Toronto from the Art Gallery of Ontario to the Zoo is as much fun as a ride on one of the city's famous streetcars!

MY TAKE:
I've never been to Toronto but I've always wanted to go there.

In ABC of Toronto, kids and adults can learn about different places and things associated with Toronto.

I was under the impression that most, if not all, of the letters would stand for specific places around Toronto. Obviously, this would be difficult so I can understand why some of the letters stand for more generic things like gardens or beaches. I would really have preferred it if there were more specific places, though, since then it would be sort of a guidebook. Although, for some letters, the letters stand for generic things but the descriptions mention specific places.

Given that, this book is still a nice guide to Toronto, especially for kids who have never been there.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. Kids can learn about the different places in Toronto.
2. The book is very colorful.
3. Kids can use it as a guide of places to go to if ever they're in Toronto.

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style may not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Hh is for Hockey Hall of Fame,
a fan's favourite destination.

READ IT IF:

1. Your kid likes travelling.
2. You like books about different places.
3. Your family will be going to Toronto any time soon.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Ten Birds Meet a Monster by Cybèle Young

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Ten birds are startled to discover a monster. One by one, they fashion increasingly elaborate sartorial creations as they try to scare him off. Can the tenth bird find just the right thing? In this playful companion to her Governor General's Award?winning Ten Birds, author and illustrator Cyb?le Young plays with shapes, shadows and sounds in this inventive counting book.

MY TAKE:
The illustration style and the topic reminded me a lot of the four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.

In Ten Birds and a Monster, ten birds encounter a monster. The terrified birds try to scare the monster but nothing seems to work.

The idea of birds working together to scare an imaginary monster is really cute. First, it's just one bird, then another joins him and then another. Every time the birds try to scare the monster, they create an imaginary monster of their own by hiding under layers of cloth.

The illustrations are in black and white, so not everyone may like them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the e-ARC. Publication date of Ten Birds Meet a Monster is on September 1, 2013.

THE GOOD:

1. The birds are imaginative.
2. The ending is somewhat expected but the birds still make it seem like a cute ending.
3. The layout is very neat.

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style may not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

The first bird, always inventive,
became a Vicious Polka-dactyl.
But the monster didn't budge.

READ IT IF:

1. Your child likes birds.
2. Your child is scared of monsters.
3. Your child likes black-and-white drawings.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Loula Is Leaving for Africa by Anne Villeneuve

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Loula has had enough of her terrible triplet brothers and decides to run away to Africa. Luckily, her mother's chauffeur, Gilbert, knows just how to get there. Together, Loula and Gilbert ride camels, cross a desert and, most important, use heaps of imagination in this heartwarming adventure.

MY TAKE:
Most kids have tried to run away at least once, but I doubt that a lot of them had Loula's experience.

In Loula Is Leaving For Africa, Loula is a young girl who is annoyed with her brothers. She decides to leave and head for Africa. Luckily, their family chaffeur Gilbert knows the way and wants to help Loula get there.

Loula seems a little spoiled, but despite that, she's still a little charming. Gilbert is the real star of the book, for me. There aren't a lot of adults who would indulge kids the way he did, and he did an excellent job of taking care of Loula and allowing her to explore at the same time. I'm sure a lot of rich families wouldn't mind having someone like Gilbert on staff.

As you would expect, they don't really head to Africa, but their journey towards pretend Africa brings a smile to one's face.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the e-ARC. Publication date of Loula is Leaving for Africa is on September 1, 2013.

THE GOOD:

1. The watercolor painting-like coloring style is pretty.
2.  Gilbert and Loula's adventure is very entertaining.
3. The characters are charming.

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style might not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

She takes the essentials... her cat, her tea set and her best drawing.

READ IT IF:

1. Your child is always threatening to run away.
2. Your child is very imaginative.
3. Your child likes adventures.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Sage's Song (Pumpkinheads Series) by Karen Kilpatrick

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Dance to the beat of Sage’s Song!
Find out what listening is really worth as Sage makes music from the sounds of the earth. Banging away on her drum, Sage can really make a racket! Stopping to listen to the world around her, Sage learns that music surrounds her in the simplest of sounds. This sensory exploration teaches the value of listening and inspires an awareness of the beautiful music nature creates.
From the Pumpkinheads, teaching messages that parents care about through books and characters that children love!

MY TAKE:
If your kid likes making a lot of noise, this book might be right up his or her alley.

In Sage's Song, Sage is a young kid who likes making sounds on her drum. However, when she stops to listen to the sounds of nature, she finds that there's a lot of nice sounds out there and she can make music in harmony with them too.

I liked the message of the story. Music comes from everywhere and it's nice that this book helps kids learn that they can find music in nature too.

The illustrations, for me, remind me of the style used for Blues Clues mixed with a little Dora the Explorer. It's not my cup of tea, but if you find that style nice, you should like the illustrations in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Nina Charles LLC for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It helps kids appreciate the sounds of nature.
2. It encourages love of music.
3. Sage seems like a cute kid.

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style might not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Sage dances and grooves
To the rhythm of nature's beat!

READ IT IF:

1. Your kid likes banging on toy drums.
2. Your kid is a nature lover.
3. You want your child to appreciate nature a little bit more.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?