Monday, July 06, 2009

Book reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Mermaid's Tale by Amanda Adams: Wielding some information and a couple of stories, the book is more about the authors's love of mermaids than of mermaids themselves. Immunity by Lori Andrews: I was disappointed in the book. Immunity started out as a fairly good mystery only to start dragging about half way through. Andrews could not hold my attention for more than a few pages after that. It was a struggle to finish the book-not a page turner to hurry and find the answer to the mystery. I would rate the book about a C to C-, it's a shame because it started out well written and enjoyable. I would not recommend Immunity as a great summer or beach read. Maybe other readers will enjoy this book for different reasons, but I found it boring and a majority of the basis of the story a bit unbelievable. There were a few bright spots-some good facts where you know some research was done-such as the amount Disneyland makes per day. Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker: A fantastic ride of imagination and honor. Varied characters who have soul. Later, at the bar by Rebecca Barry: Good book about a bar, its locals, dramas and comparisons to real life events. Sometimes a bit racey, so this would be an adult read. But I recommend it. Death of a Gentle Lady by M. C. Beaton: This is a quick read that keeps your interest. You won't want to put it down! A murder mystery surrounding an elderly lady and her maid. Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck: A warm, fuzzy book that I identify with because I grew up in a warm but poor house where Christmas gifts were limited to one gift. Deception's Daughter by Cordelia Frances Biddle: This book was ok, I would classify it as a romantic mystery. Its about a woman going between two towns where her secret love lives in one. Not a good ending or one you'd expect. Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield: I love these books. The stories made me cry, usually tears of joy. Wife of Moon by Margaret Coel: Great mystery writer! Drowning Man by Ms. Coel's book grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go.: 12:20:48 PM     One of Last Two Poison Control Centers In State Closes Due to Cancellation of State Funding. This week, one of the two poison control centers in the state closed, and it's uncertain how long state funding will hold out for the remaining center in Detroit. The center at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids had warned the state that if its $250,000 in annual state aid was yanked, it would fold. Centers are funded with a combination of state, federal and private funds. For Michigan residents - and doctors - the centers are a resource for information when people ingest or are exposed to dangerous drugs or chemicals or plants. The Grand Rapids center handled 35,000 to 40,000 calls a year from about 67 Michigan counties. The traffic now will have to be picked up by the only remaining poison control center in the state - one located at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Together the two centers last year handled more than 112,760 calls, and it's unclear how the closing of the center will impact Michigan residents. Detroit officials were unavailable for comment Thursday, but Rossman noted that 11 toxicology experts from Grand Rapids have been contracted by the Detroit center to help with the increased volume of calls. The majority of calls to the centers are from Michigan residents looking for help, according to state Community Health officials. However, more than 13 percent of the calls received in 2008 were from doctors wanting to know how best to treat patients. For the full article, see Christine Rook, "G. Rapids poison control site closes; State aid cuts mean Detroit center is last in state, likely also threatened", Lansing State Journal, July 4, 2009. [Red Tape Blog] 11:13:50 AM     News from the Master The Art of Reading adult summer reading program This week 54 number of people read 127 books for a total of 125 participants and 436 books! Last weeks winners were: Maricio Vazquez-$15 Gift certificate to the Muskegon Museum of Art store, Bonnie Jepsen-Gift certificate to McDonald’s Candies, Rebecca Peterson-$10 gift certificate to Alpha & Omega Antiques, and Rebecca Romanelli-Notebad and notebook from the Lakeshore Museum Center. Thanks to our sponsors! Muskegon Reads! author title Adams, Amanda Mermaid's Tail Albert, Susan Wittig Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood Andrews, Lori Immunity Ashley, Mike Mammoth book of more historical Whodunits Austen, Jane Watsons Barbieri, Maggie Quick Study Barker, Clive Great and Secret Show Barry, Rebecca Later, at the bar Barton, Beverly Dying Game Barton, Beverly Murder Game Beaton, M C Death of a gentle lady Beaton, M C Death of a snob Beck, Glenn Christmas Sweater Berenson, Alex Faithful Spy Biddle, Cordelia Frances Deceptions Daughter Brockmann, Suzanne Admiral's Bride Brockmann, Suzanne Harvard's Education Brockmann, Suzanne Hawken's Heart Canfield, Jack Chicken soup for the soul Carl, Lillian Burning Glass Carl, Lillian Murder Hole Carter, Quentin Stained Cotton Child, Lee Bad luck and trouble Child, Lee Running Blind Christopher, Paul Lucifer Gospel Coel, Margaret Drowning Man Coel, Margaret Eye of the Wolf Coel, Margaret Wife of Moon Collins, Susan Images of America Crichton, Michael State of Fear Crook, Jeff Bretrem's Guide to the Souls Crusie, Jennifer Tell Me Lies Curtis, Glade Your pregnancy week by week Davidson, Dana Played Denning, Troy Invincible D'Erasmo, Stacey Sky Below Douglas, Carole Spider Dance Douglass, Sara Darkwitch Rising Goff, Michael Out in America Goodkind, Terry Phantom Goodkind, Terry Soul of the fire Grafton, Sue A is for Alibi Grafton, Sue B is for Burgler Greenwood, Kerry Murder in the Dark Gunn, Robin Jones Engaging Father Christmas Hall, Barbara Music Teacher Hannah, Kristin Distant Shores Hannah, Kristin On Mystic Lake Harris, Charlaine Shakespeare's Landlord Harvey, Kenneth J. Town that forgot to breathe Hawn, Goldi Goldie-a lotus grows in the mind Higgins, Jack Killing Grand Hill, Sandra Love Potion Hunt, Diann RV there yet Jackson, Lisa Malice Jackson, Nita Yada Yada Prayer Group James, P. D. Private Patient Jessop, Carolyn Escape Jones, Linda Winstead Bride by Command Joyce, Brenda House of Dreams Karon, Jan Light from Heaven Kauffman, Donna Let me in Kincaid, Greg Dog named Christmas King, Stephen Green Mile King, Stephen Rose Madder Kingsbury, Karen Between Sundays Kingsbury, Karen Sunset Kingsbury, Karen Sunset Koontz, Dean Husband Langford, Michael Langford's Starting Photography Lovric, Michelle Remedy MacDonald, John D. Lonely Silver Rain Maguire, Gregory Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister Maguire, Gregory Lost Marcus, Eric What if someone I know is gay McBain, Ed McBain Brief McKellar, Danica Math doesn't suck McKillip, Patricia Solstice Wood Mead, Richelle Shadow Kiss Meeker, Meg Strong Father, Strong Daughters Michaels, Barbara Dancing Floor Moore, Christopher Fool Moore, Christopher Stupidest Angel Morris, Gilbert Angel Train Nwaubani, Adaobi Tricia I don not come to you by chance Palmer, Catherine Love's Haven Palwick, Susan Shelter Patterson, James 6th Target Peterson, Audrey Unmourned Death Powell, Eric Goon in place of heartache and grief Pullman, Phillip Golden Compass Quick, Amanda Perfect Poison Quindlen, Anna Good Dog. Stay Rivers, Francine Priest Roberts, Nora Key of Light Rollins, James Amazonia Rosenberg, Joel Inside the Revolution Scottoline, Lisa Look Again Silva, Daniel Kill Artist Slaughter, Karin Fractured Sparks, Christopher Lucky one Spechler, Diane Who by fire Stringer, Vickie Still Dirty Sullivan, Stephen Warrior's Bones Tapply, William A void in hearts Tapply, William Gray Ghost Thurlo, Aimee and David Tracking Bear Travis, Karen Revelation Truman, Margaret Murder at the FBI Truman, Margaret Murder on K Street Tucker, Lisa Shout down the moon Twain, Mark Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Wallace, Meri Birth Order Blues Walters, Barbara Audition Ward, J. R. Lover enshrined Weiner, Jennifer Goodnight Nobody White, Randy Wayne Tampa Burn Wick, Lori Cassidy Wick, Lori Every Storm Wick, Lori Jessie Wick, Lori Just above a whisper Wick, Lori Sabrina Willin, Melvyn Ghosts caught on film Winegar, Karin Saved: Rescued Animals and the lives they transformed Yancey, Richard Highly effective detective Yancey, Richard Highly effective detective goes to the dogs Zane Chocolate Flava II Zelazny, Roger Dead man's brother table producing by T2T 9:30:30 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 8/3/2009; 10:35:53 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien