Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Moving Day Just a reminder...this blog is moving tomorrow! Update your bookmarks to Hackley's Blog. 2:02:35 PM

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Book Review Every now and then I read a children's or young adult book. My daughter took a class in "kiddie lit" in college, so she suggests books from time to time. She suggested I read Coraline by Neil Gaiman before we saw the movie and it was really good, so when I heard about Gaiman's latest, The Graveyard Book, (which won the Newberry Award this year) I thought I'd give it a try. It was a wonderful book. Basically, a child survives when his whole family is murdered by crawling into a graveyard where the inhabitants, although very much on the ghostly plain, decide to raise him. He is taught everything the inhabitants can teach him, which is sometimes quite funny as they, for the most part, had departed this earthly coil over 100 years ago, and what was important for them to know is no longer important for contemporary people to know. In any case, he grows up feeling loved and protected. Of course, the man who murdered his family is still out there, and realizes that he missed the boy, so he tries to finish the job he was given. As in any good mystery, people are not always what they seem. Very good book. 9:24:07 AM

Thursday, August 27, 2009

News from Master The Art of Reading Summer Reading Program The Grand Prize Winner of a 90 minute massage from Keep in Touch Massaage is a shy person who would rather not have their name mentioned. Congratulations to all our participants and many thanks to Alpha and Omega Antiques, Glamazon, Keep in Touch Massage Therapy, Lakeshore Museum Center, Lascko Plumbing and Mechanical, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, McDonald's Candies, Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon Civic Theatre, Muskegon Museum of Art, Port City Cruise Line, Port City Paints, West Michigan Symphony, and Witt Buick, our wonderful sponsors. 9:26:07 AM     Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Irish Dreams by Nora Roberts: Classic lovestory with great characters. Waiting for Nick and Considering Kate by Nora Roberts: Very compelling storytelling at its best. Great character development. 4 Day Diet by Ian Smith: No great mystery here. Basic things, it doesn't give anythign good or worthwhile. Would not call it a diet book. Apostle by Brad Thor: Good book using present situation in War area. The president is about like our present situation. The book held my attention and moved along. A few of the terms were beyond me. Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger: Very good, funny book. Great for the beach. Good for friends or book club. 9:18:02 AM

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult: Would recommend it. Very good heart wrenching and warming book. Have tissues ready. Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult: Harder to get into more so than her other books. Overall, a good read. By My Side by Nora Roberts: Two wonderful stories, very compelling page turner from front to back cover. 8:55:36 AM

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

News from Master The Art of Reading Summer Reading Club The winners for weeks 8, 9, and 10 are: Marvin Wassink-Gift certificate to McDonald’s Candies, Norma Grice-Gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Michelle Winchel-Gift certificate to McDonald’s Candies, Pat Wilkey-Membership in Lascko’s Comfort Care Program, Gwen Jefferson-Lakeshore Museum Center passes Week 9: Nikki Kirksey-Lakeshore Museum Center Lunch bag and water bottle, Julianne Laude-Gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Linda Rostar-Muskegon Chronicle Gift Certificate, Lora Swenson-gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Shy Person #8-gift certificate to McDonald’s candies. Week 10: Jean Davis-Muskegon Museum of Art membership, Julie DeMarr-gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Shy Person #9-gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Shy Person #10-gift certificate to Alpha-Omega Antiques, Brandy Thompson-Lakeshore Museum Center Tote Bag. 6:13:44 PM     News from Master The Art of Reading Summer Reading Program This week, 19 people read 71 books, for a summer total of 181 people who read 1258 books! Way to go Muskegon! 351 people signed up for the program and over half participated at least once. Last year, 345 people signed up, 158 people participated, and they read 1234 books. Winners and prizes for this week and last will be announced later, as will the Grand Prize Winner Muskegon Reads! author title Anastasi, Joe New Forensics Andersen, Susan Coming Undone Andersen, Susan Hot and Bothered Ash, Sarah Lord of Snow and shadows Ash, Sarah Prisoner of the Iron Tower Ash, Sarah Tracing the shadow Baxter, Stephen Coalescent Baxter, Stephen Emperor Baxter, Stephen Exultant Bishop, Anne Tangled Webs Brandewyne, Rebecca Crystal Rose Cain, Chelsea Heart Sick Campbell, Anna Untouched Crichton, Michael Next David, James T. Before the cradle falls David, James T. Judgment Day David, James T. Thunder of time David, Peter Knight Life David, Peter One knight only Dees, Cindy 9-Month Bodyguard Ferrarella, Marie Heiress's 2-week affair Freethy, Barbara Suddenly One Summer Gabriel, Juli Green Beauty Guide Gaiman, Neil Marvel 1602 Galland, Nicole Fool's Tale Garlock, Dorothy Mother Road Groopman, Jerome How Doctors Think Hake, Cathy That certain Spark Hill, Sandra Red Hot Cajun Hill, Sandra So into you Howell, Hannah Highland Knight Huegel, Kelly GLBTQ Iles, Greg Devil's Punchbowl Jackson, Brenda Object of his obsession Jackson, Lisa Twice Kissed Jance, J. A. Cruel Intent Jeffries, Sabrina Let sleeping rogues lie Johansen, Iris Storm Cycle King, Stephen Duma Key King, Stephen Gunslinger Kosarin, Jenni It's just not in the stars Kozminsky, Isidore Zodiacal Symbology Kurland, Lynn Dance through time Lefler, Hugh Colonial North Carolina Margolin, Philip After Dark Margolin, Philip Associate Margolin, Philip Executive Privilege Margolin, Philip Gone, but not forgotten Margolin, Philip Last Innocent Man Margolin, Philip Proof Positive Margolin, Philip Ties that Bind Margolin, Philip Wild Justice Mayhue, Melissa Highland Guardian McGraw, Phil Love Smart Mitchell, Siri Love's Pursuit Morrell, David Shimmer Picoult, Jodi Change of Heart Picoult, Jodi Tenth Circle Roberts, Nora By My Side Roberts, Nora Irish Dreams Roberts, Nora Waiting for Nick and Considering Kate Ross, Stewart Tales of the Dead: Ancient Rome Smith, Ian 4 Day Diet Steel, Danielle Echoes Steel, Danielle Granny Dan Steel, Danielle No Greater Love Steel, Danielle Rogue Thor, Brad Apostle Weisberger, Lauren Chasing Harry Winston Willingham, Bill Helmet of Fate Wilson, Paul All the Rage table producing by T2T 3:00:51 PM     Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Cruel Intent by J. A. Jance: Jance is always a good mystery read whether you take to the beach or cozy up with a blanket and fire. Cruel Intent was a bit different from her other mysteries, however, I still enjoyed it. Duma Key by Stephen King: Very suspenseful! A great read! Gunslinger by Stephen King: Great start to the series! Looking forward to reading the rest of them. 2:52:12 PM

Monday, August 24, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Next by Michael Crichton: Loved it! Great read. Mother Road by Dorothy Garlock: Wonderfully written Great Depression era novel. How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman: Good, very informing. 10:23:48 AM

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien: Cleverly constructed mystery of events where the private/public acts intersect, transforming reality-present and past. Insightful presentation of Vietnam War casualties. Sunrise Song by Catherine Palmer: Entertaining romance in an exotic setting-great story of animal and human nature. Leaves you wanting to know more about elephants in Africa! Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer: Entertaining romantic/mystery-parallel false leads to unravel. Misconceptions between the would-be lovers and about the crimes committed. Fate of Mice by Susan Palwick: A collection of short stories which transport you to a new perspective on reality(ies) and where the author's imagination creates poignant tales the reader can identify with-scifi fairy tales-aesop fables. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult: It was fast-paced, easy reading. Touching and perceptive but I did not like the ending. Riding the Dragon by Robert J. Wicks: This book is amazing! It is perfect for an individual dealing with burn out, loss, or a change in their life. It nicely lays out 10 lessons to be learned that are easy to read. 3:25:57 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 9/15/2009; 2:02:54 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien