Review: Obama - The Historic Journey

Summary: Including his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, this beautifully designed book tells the extraordinary story of Barack Obama's life and rise to power in both words and photographs.

The young readers hardcover edition is specifically written and designed to appeal to and inspire the 8-12 age group, with age-appropriate text and a different selection of photographs and illustrations. It is in a slightly smaller format (9" x 10 7/8") and includes 96 pages, with 200 full-color photographs. -- The New York Times

Regardless of your political preferences, there is no question that history was made in January 2009 when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Like many Americans, my husband and I follow politics pretty closely (especially this election), and we found ourselves discussing it at the dinner table many times over the past year. Our kids, nine and four, couldn't help but pick up on it; and as a result, they became extremely interested in the election too. (See my little aside comment at the end of this post.)

Books about Obama's journey have been everywhere, but I was so excited to see that there was a wonderful book written especially for young readers -- OBAMA: THE HISTORIC JOURNEY YOUNG READER'S EDITION. This book is published by The New York Times and is just filled with over 200 beautiful color photographs. It does a fantastic job of capturing the entire journey of Barack Obama from his early childhood right up through the inauguration and his first few weeks in office.

I know this book is supposed to be geared towards young readers, but I absolutely loved reading it. This book contained loads of historical information about Mr. Obama and his family, but it was extremely easy to read. It had just enough information to explain the entire journey without bogging down the reader with unnecessary details. The book was divided into small chapters and then had small features within these chapters. It was also filled with tons of gorgeous photos that make this book nice enough to sit out on your coffee table.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the photos in this book are amazing! I love how so many of them captured the essence of Obama as a man rather than a political figure. It's hard to pick just one or two that really stand out because there are tens of dozens that are memorable; however, there is one of President Obama with his daughters that I absolutely adore. The way he is looking at them is just so special, and I think it really shows that he is a loving father to his girls.

I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage of the events in this book. Not only did I think the coverage was very thorough, but I also thought it was unbiased. I enjoyed the sections where I could learn about Obama's youth; however, I thought the strength of this book was on the coverage of the election. I thought the book did a fair job of showing the brilliant way that Mr. Obama ran this historic election, but it also showed some of his mishaps along the way. I also thought the book did an excellent job of capturing not only Obama's run, but also McCain's attempt and where things went wrong for him.

My nine year old daughter claims that she is a little on the young side to read the entire book; however, I did find her looking at the pictures over and over again! Of course, she did manage to read all of the sections about the Obama girls and comment on all of Michelle's dresses. I have a feeling that we will be referencing this book many times in the next few years -- hopefully to learn more about President Obama rather than his family and their wardrobe!

I highly recommend this gorgeous, yet informative, book for both children and adults alike. A big thanks to Mothertalk for allowing me to participate in this book blog tour!


A little aside: I wasn't aware that my four year old son was learning about each of the candidates at his preschool. He came home one day telling me that John "The King" and Barock Obama (he said it with a heavy emphasis on the O and then rushed the bama part -- very funny) both wanted to be president. I wasn't sure I heard him correctly because it came from nowhere. I asked him to point out each of them from pictures and he didn't hesitate for a second. He told me that "The King" was old and Obama had funny ears and a funny smile. Out of the mouth of babes!

Review: The Spare Wife

Summary: Ponce Morris is a beautiful, rich widow who’s known as “the spare wife” because she’s the perfect companion to the wealthy, powerful, New York couples in her elite social circle. She throws elegant dinner parties, goes to sports events with the husbands, and shops with the wives. She’s both flawlessly appropriate and coolly nonthreatening—everyone knows Ponce doesn’t have a romantic bone in her body. Over the years, she has managed other people’s lives—and her own—perfectly. Then Babette Seele, an ambitious, aspiring journalist, discovers that Ponce is having an affair with a socially prominent, very married man, and decides to break the scandal, turning Ponce’s carefully calibrated world upside down. Witchel’s sophisticated, witty, sexy satire provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives and loves of upper-class New Yorkers, sharply exposing the foibles of the fabulous. -- Plume

A few years ago, I read ME TIMES THREE by Alex Witchel; and while I don't remember much about it, I do remember liking the author's writing style. So when the opportunity came to participate in a book tour for THE SPARE WIFE, I jumped at the chance. I can definitely say that I enjoyed THE SPARE WIFE, and I found it to be a more enjoyable read than ME TIMES THREE.

The storyline in this book sounded promising -- a middle-aged divorcee is caught in an affair with a prominent married man. Unfortunately, the premise is not that surprising in today's world, but I thought this story was unique in that the characters involved were members of New York's high society. By writing the story around these types of people, the author was able to create very unique characters that are certainly memorable for the reader. In so many ways, each character was more despicable than the next; and this story wasn't lacking for affairs, lying, cheating, etc. Those types of people and their actions no doubt can make for entertaining reading!

I have to admit that when I first started reading THE SPARE WIFE, I did have a difficult time keeping track of all the characters and how they related to each other. I was frustrated for a short time; but after I thought about it for a bit, I kind of liked the effect the first few chapters had on me. The story begins with a woman who is throwing a type of "coming out" party after her husband leaves her. Her life is in a huge state of change and there are many people at her party that she doesn't even know. Because many readers will feel a little overwhelmed at the beginning, I think the author actually did a good job setting the tone of this novel. As confused as I was for a few pages, all of the characters did have a reason for being in the story and their relationships and interactions came together very nicely.

While the story was interesting, the real beauty of this book is Ms. Witchel's writing style. I think she did a terrific job of giving an insider's view into New York society; and the characters she created were definitely interesting. I can't relate at all to any of her characters in this story, but I thought she did a good job of developing them (and even some of their reasons for their behavior.) What I really appreciated though was the humor that was prevalent throughout this novel. I found myself laughing at so much of the characters' behavior because it was so ridiculous, but then a part of me kept wondering if it really were that ridiculous. I guess that's the beauty of a satirical book -- I wasn't sure how much of it was true or exaggerated. I would think that writing satire would be extremely difficult; however, I think Ms. Witchel successfully managed to do just that with THE SPARE WIFE.

This book is hilarious and very fun to read; and each of the characters and their actions are more outrageous than the next. There is also a large part of the story which deals with revenge that I found entertaining. Having said that, this book does have touch on some serious issues including adultery, loss of a spouse, and infertility. I enjoyed that there were some moving parts of this story and that some of the characters do show a softer side (and even some compassion.) There are also underlying messages of healing, forgiveness and redemption. Overall, it's a very entertaining read that fans of satire will enjoy!

A big thanks goes out to Mothertalk for allowing me to participate in this book blog tour.

Review: The Household Guide to Dying

Summary: The Household Guide to Dying is a moving, witty, and uplifting novel about Delia, who writes an acerbic and wildly popular household advice column. When Delia realizes that she is losing her long battle with cancer, she decides to organize her remaining months—and her husband and children’s future lives without her—the same way she has always ordered their household. Unlike the many faithful readers of her advice column—people who are rendered lost and confused when faced with dirty shirt collars—Delia knows just what to do. She will leave a list for her daughter’s future wedding; fill the freezer with homemade sausages, stews, and sauces; and even (maddeningly) offer her husband suggestions for a new wife. She’ll compile a lifetime’s worth of advice for her children, and she’ll even write the ultimate “Household Guide to Dying” for her fans. There is one item on her list, however, that proves too much even for “Dear Delia,” and it is the single greatest task she had set for herself. Yet just as Delia is coming to terms with this, an unexpected visitor helps her believe in her life’s worth in a way that no list ever could.

Imbued with Delia’s love for food, Jane Austen, clucking hens, and fragrant gardens, and interspersed with her secrets to making a pot of tea, removing wine stains from lace, and the ingredients to the perfect wedding cake, this is a gorgeously crafted novel that captures the reader—heart and mind—and expands our understanding of a meaningful life. -- Putnam

THE HOUSEHOLD GUIDE TO DYING by Debra Adelaide is a beautifully written novel that will undoubtedly touch your heart. It is a beautiful novel that was on the longlist for the Orange Prize. I knew that it was going to be difficult to read because it is about a young mother who is dying from cancer, but I had no idea how much this story would touch me. While I don't have a whole lot in common with the main character Delia, I still related to so many of her thoughts and feelings about dying.

First and foremost, this book is incredibly written. Ms. Adelaide writes with such vivid detail and her descriptions of pretty much everything were amazing. I was blown away by how beautiful the prose was -- so many pages were like reading poetry. I was also amazed by how much insight the author had not only dying, but living. The book and the characters struck me as very real, and that's probably what made reading this book such an intense experience. I also appreciated that the author managed to infuse lots of humor into Delia and her life; and that's another reason that I found this story to be so touching. It really was just like life -- happy times, sad times, funny times, etc.

One of the things that touched me the most about this book was that I could really understand Delia's need to get everything in place and accomplish just one more thing. Dying ultimately is about letting go and accepting things, and I think that would be very difficult to come to terms with for control freaks. I have a feeling that, like Delia, I would be similarly inclined to try to maintain control over any element of my life that I could.

Another thing that I really liked about this novel were the little tidbits of advice and household hints that appeared. Delia wrote a household advice column and many of the questions as well as her answers appeared throughout the book. Delia was known for her condescension and sarcastic answers; and I actually found myself laughing at a few of them.

Even though I did relate to some of Delia's actions, I still had a hard time understanding all of them. Of course, it's probably wrong to judge even a fictional character who is dying, but I did find some of her actions to be kind of "out there." I especially found myself questioning some of the things she asked of her family; however, I'm pretty sure that if I knew I were dying, I wouldn't be entirely selfless either. Despite some of her more crazy ideas, I will admit that I was deeply touched by Delia's attempt to make things right for her husband, her daughters, and even her mother. And, I loved what she left of herself for each of them to remember her.

While there is no doubt that this novel is about a woman who is dying, I really felt like it was actually more about living your life to the fullest. I, for one, don't really like to think about dying and leaving my husband and children; however it's unfortunately something that could happen to me. While so much of this book was very, very sad, I absolutely loved how the author described Delia's death at the end of the book -- not only was the writing beautiful, but she made the experience sound so peaceful to me. You can't help but be touched by the last few pages of this novel.

You really should consider THE HOUSEHOLD GUIDE TO DYING for a future book club selection especially if your group is made up of mothers. There is just so much to discuss! You can read a wonderful interview with Ms. Adelaide that definitely enhanced my reading experience. And there is also a reader's guide available which will help keep your discussion on track. I am pretty sure that you could talk for hours about Delia and her life. I know I would love to sit back with some wine and hear my friends' opinions on this book; however, I do think discussion might be hard at times because this book does cause you to think about your own mortality and how you'd cope with it. Or, it just might be a wake-up call about living your life to the fullest!

A big thanks to Mothertalk for allowing me to participate in the book tour.

Review: The Mighty Queens of Freeville

Summary: Millions of Americans know and love Amy Dickinson from reading her syndicated advice column “Ask Amy” and from hearing her wit and wisdom weekly on National Public Radio. Amy’s audience loves her for her honesty, her small-town values, and the fact that her motto is “I make the mistakes so you don’t have to.” In The Mighty Queens of Freeville, Amy Dickinson shares those mistakes and her remarkable story. This is the tale of Amy and her daughter and the people who helped raise them after Amy found herself a reluctant single parent.

Though divorce runs through her family like an aggressive chromosome, the women in her life taught her what family is about. They helped her to pick up the pieces when her life fell apart and to reassemble them into something new. It is a story of frequent failures and surprising successes, as Amy starts and loses careers, bumbles through blind dates and adult education classes, travels across the country with her daughter and their giant tabby cat, and tries to come to terms with the family’s aptitude for “dorkitude.”

They have lived in London, D.C., and Chicago, but all roads lead them back to Amy’s hometown of Freeville (pop. 458), a tiny village where Amy’s family has tilled and cultivated the land, tended chickens and Holsteins, and built houses and backyard sheds for more than 200 years. Most important, though, her family members all still live within a ten-house radius of each other. With kindness and razor-sharp wit, they welcome Amy and her daughter back weekend after weekend, summer after summer, offering a moving testament to the many women who have led small lives of great consequence in a tiny place. -- Hyperion

THE MIGHTY QUEENS OF FREEVILLE: A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, AND THE PEOPLE WHO RAISED THEM by Amy Dickinson is sure getting a lot of attention. I've seen so many great reviews of this book, and I'm glad that I can now say that I've read it. I found this memoir to be extremely readable, and I instantly felt an affinity with Ms. Dickinson and her story. It's kind of hard for me to explain why since I really don't have anything major in common with Ms. Dickinson, it's just that her story is so real. I think that's the beauty of this book -- it is about normal people and every reader will relate to parts of Ms. Dickinson's life.

I can't say that I pick a lot of memoirs (I usually stick with fiction), but I find that I really enjoy them when I do. For some reason, I guess I like getting glimpses into other people's lives! While I have enjoyed many of the recent best-selling memoirs, so many of them are filled with stories about horrific childhoods and other shocking tales. I found THE MIGHTY QUEENS OF FREEVILLE to be such a refreshing change. This book didn't cause my jaw to drop, but rather it was a heart-warming story about a single mother and her daughter and how they managed to live their lives despite being thrown a few curves along the way.

I loved getting to know Ms. Dickinson and her daughter and watching them adapt to all the changes in their lives. I especially enjoyed those parts of the book where they returned to Freeville. I loved how her story showed the importance of family in our lives and how family can help us get through even the most difficult situations. In addition, I thought this book definitely featured the importance of women in society and how incredibly strong women are. I not only fell in love with Ms. Dickinson and her daughter, but I also enjoyed "meeting" all of their female relatives back in Freeville.

I found this book to be so enjoyable on so many levels. Ms. Dickinson has the unique knack of telling her story where it seems as if she is talking to me and me alone -- I feel as if I know her. My heart went out to her and her daughter many times as they faced challenges, and I found myself rooting for them. I did find this book very touching, especially the chapters about her divorce and her cat. However, I also found myself laughing out loud many times. The chapter where Ms. Dickinson describes her dating experiences and the chapter about "dorkiness" were hilarious. This book is filled with so much wisdom and will just make you feel good about life!

One thing I really enjoyed about the memoir was how the author decided to tell her story. Rather than writing the book in chronological order, each chapter covered a specific theme in Ms. Dickinson's life. I loved following each story from beginning to end, I thought that each chapter read as if they were separate essays. I especially appreciated the chapter entitled "The Marrying Man" which explained the strained relationship between the author and her father.

I highly recommend THE MIGHTY QUEENS OF FREEVILLE! It's just a feel-good book that celebrates women! I think it would make the perfect gift for any special woman in your life!

A big thanks to Hyperion Books and MotherTalk for allowing me to participate in this book tour!

Review: The Help

Summary: Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. -- Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam

I'm having a very hard time writing this review for THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. I think it's because I absolutely adored every page of the marvelous novel and don't know how to express it. I'm worried that I'll start gushing about the storyline, the characters, the writing, etc. and that I won't be able to express myself coherently. But this book really is worthy of some major gushing -- THE HELP is definitely going to be on a lot of "Best of.." lists for 2009.

As I reflected on this novel (and I've been doing a lot of reflecting because I can't get the story out of my mind), I'd have to say that in so many ways THE HELP was a coming-of-age story. It's fairly obvious that Skeeter's character matures throughout this novel as she finds her inner strength to seperate herself from her family and friends and write the maids' stories; however, I thought Aibileen and Minny evolved into stronger and better people too. Even though this novel showed the racial problems in the Deep South in the 1960s, I actually was left with a feeling of hope after I finished this novel -- hope that Mississippi would change and hope that other people would change for the better. Not only do I think that many of the characters in this novel changed, I think it was also a "coming-of-age" time for Mississippi and the country as a whole.

What I loved most about this book were the amazing characters in this novel. I can't get over how Ms. Stockett captured each of their voices perfectly. I fell in love with Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter for very different reasons, but I think I most adored Aibileen. She was such a special, caring woman and will remain in my thoughts for a very long time. I think she is a remarkable representation of the many black women who brought up white children; and her courage and strength were so very admirable. I especially loved the stories and the messages that she told her "babies." Not only were the three main characters terrifically developed, but the supporting ones were very interesting too. Even the most despicable characters (and there were quite a few) were essential to this novel.

I appreciated how the author chose to tell this story. The chapters alternated between the three different women's stories and was told in first person narrative by each of them. I thought this was a very effective way to develop these characters and show the different views on the subject matter. I also found it very interesting that Ms. Stockett wrote one chapter in third person narrative -- it was the chapter about The Jackson Junior League Annual Ball and Benefit. This chapter definitely stood out to me, and I'd love to ask her why she chose to write this one chapter that way.

I was really stuck by how honest this novel was on so many levels. Not only did Ms. Stockett tell the "white" side of the story, but she also showed the reader how it felt to be a black maid during 1960s Mississippi. I thought she did an outstanding job of describing how much fear and tension existed on both sides. And she demonstrated perfectly, through a few characters, just how ignorant and arrogant many white people were during these terrible times. I am also incredibly impressed how the author was able to infuse so much humor into this story. Despite the tension I felt while reading this novel, I was also entertained by so many of the characters and their antics.

THE HELP is Kathryn Stockett's first novel, and what an amazing debut it is! This book is very special not only because of the subject matter but also because it is so very well written. Ms. Stockett actually grew up in the South back in the 60s, so this book and its characters are very near and dear to her heart. You can read more about Ms. Stockett in this very interesting interview. Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting Ms. Stockett's next novel.

I am definitely going to recommend THE HELP to my book group. I am pretty confident that everyone will love the book. Plus, there is just so much to discuss. There is a reading guide available with many thought-provoking discussion questions. Of course, the topics I found the most interesting had to do with the racial issues in the south at that time; but some of the other topics in the book that I would love to discuss further are: racism in today's society, friendships, marriages, domestic abuse, parenting, ethics and morals, revenge and even fear.

THE HELP hits the stores today -- February 10th. If you'd like to get an idea of the book and the author's wonderful writing, you can read an excerpt. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know because I think it's a very special book. If you've read it or are even planning on reading it, I'd love to hear what you think.

A big thanks to Penguin/Putnam and MotherTalk for allowing me to participate in this book blog tour.

Also reviewed at:
A Novel Menagerie

Review: The School of Essential Ingredients

Summary: Reminiscent of Chocolat and Like Water for Chocolate, a gorgeously written novel about life, love, and the magic of food.

The School of Essential Ingredients follows the lives of eight students who gather in Lillian’s Restaurant every Monday night for cooking class. It soon becomes clear, however, that each one seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. Students include Claire, a young mother struggling with the demands of her family; Antonia, an Italian kitchen designer learning to adapt to life in America; and Tom, a widower mourning the loss of his wife to breast cancer. Chef Lillian, a woman whose connection with food is both soulful and exacting, helps them to create dishes whose flavor and techniques expand beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of her students’ lives. One by one the students are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of Lillian’s food, including a white-on-white cake that prompts wistful reflections on the sweet fragility of love and a peppery heirloom tomato sauce that seems to spark one romance but end another. Brought together by the power of food and companionship, the lives of the characters mingle and intertwine, united by the revealing nature of what can be created in the kitchen. - Putnam

THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS by Erica Bauermeister is a marvelous read. I have to say that I absolutely adored this book, and I'm going to be recommending it to everyone. This book was so enjoyable to read. I loved the culinary descriptions (in fact, I was so hungry while reading this story). But, my favorite parts of the novel were the tidbits of wisdom that were presented so beautifully throughout. This book is definitely meant to be savored just like a fine dinner or a fine wine! It's also a lot like a great meal in that you enjoy it while you're eating it, but you don't want it to ever end.

I love how Ms. Bauermeister chose to tell this story - each chapter in the book tells the story of one of the students in the cooking class. Naturally, all of the students are there for a different reason and often times it's not to learn how to cook. I enjoyed learning about each of the students' lives, both the good and the bad times; and I liked seeing how the cooking class enhanced their lives. While I did enjoy all of the chapters, I found myself especially touched by the chapter on Tom, a young man who lost his wife to cancer. I thought the writing in this chapter was just so incredibly special.

I positively loved Lillian, the chef who teaches everyone to cook. I enjoyed the chapter on her life, but I really appreciated how she was able to tie food and cooking with the every day events in people's lives. She was such an insightful and encouraging woman, and I thought all of her tidbits of wisdom were so profound. What I found even more special in this story was that not only did Lillian provide such wonderful advice as the instructor, but all of the students ended up giving parts of themselves and reaching out to the others in the class. It was such a heart-warming story.

THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS is Erica Bauermeister's first novel, and I seriously hope she intends to write more! She has also written LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS - 375 GREAT BOOKS FOR READERS 2-14 which I definitely need to check out for some book recommendations for my daughter. I loved Ms. Bauermeister's storytelling, her character development and her beautiful descriptions of food. There is an interview with the author that I thoroughly enjoyed reading; and I think it made me appreciate (and love) the book even more.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of book clubs are going to be reading THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS in the upcoming months. I think it would be a wonderful book to discuss among friends. There is a discussion guide available to help you keep your meeting on track. Some of the major themes that I'm sure you will want to talk about are: death/grief, healing, marriage/infidelity, romance, friendships, motherhood, finding one's self, and of course the importance of food in our lives. I can just imagine the goodies that you could serve at the meeting since there are so many references to food and desserts in this book.

A big thanks to Putnam and Mothertalk for choosing me to participate in this book blog tour.

Review: The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

Summary: The greatest superpower of all isn't to be part spider, part man, or to cast magic spells -- the greatest power is the power to create.

Daniel has that power.

Daniel's secret abilities -- like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to recreate himself in any shape he chooses -- have helped him survive. But Daniel doesn't have a normal life. He is the protector of the earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond what anyone could imagine.

From the day that his parents were brutally murdered in front of his very eyes, Daniel has used his unique gifts to hunt down their assassin. Finally, with the help of The List bequeathed to him in his parents' dying breath, he has located the killer.

Now, on his own, he vows to take on his father's mission--and to have vengeance in the process. -- Little, Brown and Company

I knew when I started THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge that this book was geared towards young boys. The Young Adult Library Services Association conducted a study that claims the #1 reason that boys don't like to read is that they simply think it's boring. James Patterson, the father of a young boy, has been saying for years that the "best ways to get people excited about reading is to give them books they're going to love." As a result, he decided to write a new series that young boys would enjoy. THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X is the first book in this new series.

I haven't read a lot of fiction geared towards young boys, but I was very interested in reading this book. I think I've read everything James Patterson has ever written for adults -- some good and some bad -- but overall I enjoy his writing style. Since I'm not a pre-teen boy, nor am I even the parent of one yet, I tried to read this book as if I were one of my friends' sons. Having said that, I think this book had the elements that would hold pre-teen boys' (and girls') interests; and I do think young children will love this novel. Although I have to admit that I enjoyed the story too -- it's a book for almost every age!

I found Daniel to be such a likable and honest character. I think young boys will think he is extremely cool because he gets to fight aliens; and I think girls will like Daniel because he's just such a sweet guy. I liked that the book was told in first person narrative by Daniel because it allowed the reader to really get to know and understand him. Plus, I think kids could better relate to Daniel since they could see that he even had times when he felt insecure. (Even though he was an alien, he still appeared "normal" because he shared the same fears that many pre-teens have about being alone and doing/saying the right things with the opposite sex.)

Another thing I really liked about the story was how Mr. Patterson created so many suspenseful moments. There were times that Daniel was in horrific situations, yet he was always able to use his brains (as well as his special skills) to get out. I also liked seeing how Daniel could use his imagination in so many creative ways -- from creating his family and friends to keep him company to saving himself from disgusting aliens. I especially love that this book contained a very important message to young readers -- use your talents and strengths to be the best you can be.

Another thing that the reader will enjoy is the humor that was infused throughout the story. No matter how bleak things looked for Daniel, he still maintained his sense of humor and wit (and sometimes sarcasm.) This definitely kept me laughing, and I think the use of humor will also keep things a little lighter for the younger reader. I found the descriptions of the aliens to be extremely vivid as well as entertaining; and I think young boys will especially enjoy the gross and yuck factor of the creatures.

I really think that Mr. Patterson's books lend themselves to being read by children because the chapters are so short and the books is such a quick read. I like that a child can read a little or a lot without leaving off in the middle of a chapter. I have a feeling, though, that most kids will have a hard time putting this book down. Almost every chapter ended with some sort of cliffhanger that definitely will entice the reader to keep on going!

The back of the book contained excerpts of the next two books in this series. It's very obvious that Mr. Patterson's intention is to create a huge industry around DANIEL X -- books, movies, graphic novels, video games, etc. I think most kids who read this story would be teased enough by these previews to want to read additional books about Daniel (and as parents, isn't that really the goal -- to get them reading more?)

There is a terrific website for the book that I'm sure all young children would enjoy. Readers can take a look at aliens that were made by kids all over the world, or even create their own new alien. There is also information on on the future film and graphic novels, as well as downloads for your computer. I was actually very impressed by the resources section for teachers and libraries -- there are lots of great ideas and activities that supplement the book.

If you have a reluctant reader or even a kid who loves to read, then I highly suggest giving THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X a try. If you want to get a better idea of the book before buying, you can read a brief excerpt here or watch an interview with Mr. Patterson here.

Review: A Summer Affair

Summary: Good-natured Claire Danner Crispin seems to have it all: an adoring, handsome husband, four beautiful children, a gorgeous home on Nantucket Island, and a career as a renowned art glass blower. So, what could possibly make her -- the woman who has everything - take a chance that might shatter her entire world? How does she juggle her family's endless needs and her own personal desires? And how far is she willing to go to fulfill them all? New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand is back with a tantalizing story about a loving, overcommitted, under-indulged wife and mother who, in an uncharacteristic moment of vulnerability, begins ...A SUMMER AFFAIR. -- Little, Brown and Company

A SUMMER AFFAIR by Elin Hilderbrand is an ideal book for women to read this summer. I enjoyed the story, but I definitely think a lot of people will love it. To me, this book represents pure escapism -- it will make a great book to take on vacation with you. There are lots of juicy storylines including ones dealing with adultery, addictions, and criminal behavior. The book is filled with enough scandals that it should appeal to the voyeur in all of us!

Claire Danner Crispin is portrayed as a woman who has a hard time saying no or defining boundaries for herself. So when Lock Dixon asks for her help in co-chairing a huge charity event, she finds herself agreeing (as well as signing on to create a piece of artwork for the auction.) As a reader who is also a mom, I could quickly see that she was setting herself up for problems. Not only did I see that she was biting off more than she could chew, but I was pretty sure that her family-life would end up suffering too. As if that wasn't enough, Claire complicates the situation by having an affair with Lock who is a married man.

I have to admit that I had a very hard time relating to Claire -- she really did seem to have an almost perfect life. While I understand that many mothers can sometimes feel that they have lost sight of who they really are when they are tending to their husbands and children, most of them do not run into the arms of another man to feel special. I absolutely cannot comprehend how she could be so caught up in a man that she would risk her husband, family and friends to be with him. I guess it all goes back to Claire's difficulties in saying no and setting boundaries!

There are many side stories that occurred in this book; and I did find a few rather intriguing. I liked that the author showed not only the effect of Claire's infidelity on her family, but also the problems it caused with her best friend Siobvan. I enjoyed seeing the story from Siobvan's point of view as well as sharing in Siobvan's pain with her husband's gambling addiction. Another side story that I liked concerned Max -- Claire's high school sweetheart and now a world famous rock star. Similar to Claire, it would appear that Max had it all; but he was also haunted by demons which caused him to be a failure in relationships and drink way too much.

One part of the book that I found fascinating was the description of the art of glass-blowing. It is very obvious to me that Ms. Hilderbrand did a tremendous amount of research of this subject matter. I loved the beautiful descriptions of the pieces that Claire created, and I could almost visualize the unique candlesticks and chandelier.

I feel that Ms. Hilderbrand did a very good job in writing this book. A SUMMER AFFAIR was a light, quick read (even though it was over 400 pages) that I would have loved to read at the pool or by the seashore. The storyline was interesting and kept my interest right up to the twist at the end. While I didn't truly love any of the characters, I appreciated how she developed them and made them very real to the reader. It was extremely interesting to get into the minds of the various characters, and I really felt like I could (almost) understand some of their decisions. I also enjoyed how Ms. Hilderbrand didn't tie everything up in a nice neat package -- I was still left thinking about some of the characters and how their lives may or may not have worked out.

A SUMMER AFFAIR would actually make a very interesting book club selection. They are so many stories and ethical issues to discuss. I'm pretty confident in saying that the women in my book club definitely wouldn't like Claire, but it would be interesting for us to dissect her decisions. Even though most women will think that Claire went too far, I have a feeling that a lot of women will relate to Claire's feelings of guilt and her inability to say no -- they seem like universal themes for us moms!

Review: More Than It Hurts You

Summary: Josh Goldin was savoring a Friday afternoon break in the coffee room, harmlessly flirting with coworkers while anticipating the weekend at home where his wife, Dori, waited with their eight-month-old son, Zack. And then Josh’s secretary rushed in, using words like intensive care, lost consciousness, blood. . . .

That morning, Dori had walked into the emergency room with her son in severe distress. Enter Dr. Darlene Stokes: an African-American physician and single mother whose life is dedicated both to her own son and navigating the tricky maze of modern-day medicine. But something about Dori stirred the doctor’s suspicions. Darlene had heard of the sensational diagnosis of Munchausen by Proxy, where a mother intentionally harms her baby, but had never come upon a case of it before. It was rarely diagnosed and extraordinarily controversial. Could it possibly have happened here?

As their four lives intersect with dramatic consequences, Darlene, Dori, and Josh are pushed to their breaking points as they confront the nightmare that has become their new reality. Darin Strauss’s extraordinary novel is set in a world turned upside down—where doctors try to save babies from their parents, police use the law to tear families apart, and the people you know the best end up surprising you the most. -- Dutton

I was just thrilled when I chosen to be part of a MotherTalk blog tour for the new novel MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU by Darin Strauss. When I read the book's description, I pretty much knew that I just had to read it; so I was very excited to receive the book a few weeks before it was published and have the opportunity to get a head start on it. It only took a few chapters for me to get completely drawn into the story, and I ended up reading the entire book in two days -- not an entirely easy feat with two kids and a book that is over 400 pages.

Probably the major reason that I enjoyed this book so much was that I found the author's writing style to be superb. I wasn't familiar with Mr. Strauss as an author; but after reading MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU, I now look forward to reading his other two books. Not only does he have to ability to tell a great story, but he also has tremendous insight into the attitudes and actions of today's society. He incorporated a great deal of social commentary into this novel concerning such issues as race, prejudice, and parents' rights -- at times, the writing was almost satirical in nature.

There were parts of this story where the writing just blew me away! I have read few books in the past year where the characters are as well-developed as the ones in this novel. I feel that I really got to know and understand the motivations of the characters -- that's not to say that I always agreed with them, just that I understood where they were coming from. These three main characters were extremely complex and I felt that Mr. Strauss did a wonderful job of making them real.

One of my favorite parts of this book was when Joshua was attending a larger-than-life conference for his job while Dori was at home with their baby Zach. The author built so much suspense switching back and forth between these two scenes (I can almost see this in a movie someday.) I just knew something awful was going to happen with Dori and the baby, but I couldn't put the book down.

Being a mother, I have to admit that I did find the subject matter of this book to be disturbing to say the least. Many years ago I read a non-fiction book about Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome so I was a little familiar with the concept that a mother could actually hurt her child just so she could get attention. Thank goodness the abuse of the child in this book wasn't as severe as some of the other documented cases, but I still found it difficult to read about a mother doing something this sick to her child.

The ending of this book was intense to say the least. Mr. Strauss did an amazing job of building suspense with the tone of the last few chapters. I couldn't read them fast enough to find out what was going to happen. I don't want to give anything away, but after I finished the book I had to re-read the last few paragraphs. I had a similar reaction to Josh when he heard his wife's comments. I can certainly say that I was left wanting more when I was done reading, and I know that these characters will remain in my thoughts for a long time. It was just one of those books that really makes you think.

As I mentioned earlier, I am so impressed with Darin Strauss and his ability to tell a story. After finishing this book, I immediately started looking for more information about him and his other books -- THE REAL MCCOY and CHANG AND ENG. If you are interested in learning more about Mr. Strauss, there are some very insightful interviews on his website, in January magazine, and on Identity Theory.com. In addition, I'm also very excited that I can follow the book tour for MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU -- Mr. Strauss will be blogging about it on Newsweek.com.

I highly recommend reading MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU by Darin Strauss. Not only is it a great read, but it would also make a wonderful discussion book for your next book club. There are lots of interesting issues to talk about, and I think it would be very interesting to hear other viewpoints on some of the more controversial ones.