Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle, Illustrated by Eric Carle

Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle
Illustrated by Eric Carle
Philomel Books
Published in 1992
ISBN 039921877
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Plot: 3 out of 5

An artist creates things, and this one is no different. From a young child to his elder years, he draws and creates things.

I love Eric Carle's books since they are always so cute and almost fun, even now, even though I am an adult.

Even though I like his picture books, this one seems to touch the legend of creation and God, so it kind of turns me off from that point. It kind of makes it simple, but most parents will not like one of the illustrations. The illustration is of a naked man and woman, which is why this book is banned/challenged. If that kind of image/picture is a problem, find a piece a paper or something and cover the whole picture before you read the book to your kid. Or, you can just cover from the head down before reading it. Just so you know, it is AFTER the sun page.

The illustrations are really very simple, but they are also kind of boring at the same time. However, I think it is creative how he can illustrate his own books with tissue paper, but it is still a little bleh for me. Also, the text is very easy to see/read because it is either on a black or white background.

Anyways, I found this book kind of average and not really worth reading, but it is up to you if you think it is worth reading to your child.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Eric Carle
Goodreads: Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle, Illustrated by Eric Carle
Library Thing: Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle, Illustrated by Eric Carle
Little Lamb Books: Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle, Illustrated by Eric Carle

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

 

Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth B. Brown

Revell

Published in 1999. Republished in 2010.

ISBN 9780800732882

244 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Elizabeth B. Brown attempts to help you deal with people who you might considered "Screwed-Up" in your relationships. She uses sayings, personal experiences and stories, and insights from her own life and others to show you how to deal with people who have made your life a living hell.

All right, I'll tell you what I thought about the book. This book, like almost all non-fiction "how to fix your life books", starts out with convincing you why you should read their book in order to help you live better lives. And it also starts answering the question of how you can live someone you considered "screwed-up" without severing a relationship by mentioning common things she sees in her grief conferences --- and even mentions something about her daughter. Out of the three non-fiction help books I got, this one is the one that got me more pumped up/anxious about what kind of advice the author is going to give you just by reading the introduction part. Another thing I like about the introduction is that when she mentions her daughter's disease, she calls it a "challenge", instead of calling it a burden or a handicap --- like what most people call others who have diseases, including mentally/physically challenged people. So, right off the bat, I agree with most of her views and how I should view things in life. ^^ The only thing I wasn't too sure of is when she said to consider the "screwed-up" person as a challenge, not a burden. ^^;

Throughout the book, the author has nice little sayings and comparisons --- most of them made me giggle and think how most of them match real life almost perfectly. However, some of the things mentioned in the books are things you kind of know already, but you don't really acknowledge since your emotions run wild whenever you deal with someone you care about and can't think straight or acknowledge common sense. It kind of reminded me of someone, a friend on the Internet, who said to me, "I don't know why they call it common sense, especially when it isn't really that common." That is kind of true when you think about it. :D Even some of the things mentioned in the book made me think about my personality and how it interacts with everyone else's. The author even points out how the person who you think is screwed-up might think you are the one who's screwed-up because you are different from them --- like the reason, most likely, you think that person is screwed-up. So, it might even help the screwed-up person, if you give the book to them --- maybe, slight chance of it.

Basically, I think this book has good advice, especially if you want to keep up the relationship with the person. That is, if you listen and remember the advice in the book. ^^; It also helps and encourages you to live your own life --- by your own morals. ;) The only thing I didn't like about the book is how the author kept on putting the screwed-up person as a woman/girl, even though it might be accurate that most of them are women. *COUGHS*

Oh, the medical category is added because it mentions how ailing relationships can make you ill, which was really interesting in my opinion. :) Another thing, there isn't that much God or prayer thing mentioned, but it does have a chapter about faith --- which mentions God and how too much or too little faith might actually be bad for you. I also liked this part. A very good read, I just have to remember some of these things. :D

Out of the three books I got, I found this one and When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books this publisher publishes are, I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X

I recommended this book for anyone and everyone since it give you good things to think about.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Elizabeth B. Brown
Goodreads: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
Library Thing: Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People by Elizabeth Brown
My Inner Muse: Do you live with screwed up people...?

When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

 

When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

Revell

Published in 2003

ISBN 9780800787424

156 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up will help you know when it is better to speak or remain silent by teaching through biblical stories, personal stories, and historical examples.

At first, I didn't know it was Christian book until I started reading the book, but I'll tell you this, I found this book much tolerable than the 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, which was a bit more religious than I could stomach. Anyways, I found this book much more helpful and tolerable than the other book on how to tame your tongue. This book is like a chapter in 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, but a much better version with actual help for non-religious people or non-Christians in it. :)

Unlike 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, instead of just giving a biblical passage, this book gives the passage from whatever (personal, biblical, or historical) then explains (or psychoanalyzes) what he thinks it means, how to use it in your life, and questions to ask yourself. This book also has more personal and historical examples than the other book, so it isn't just biblical stories the author gives examples on.

Another thing I like about it is if you aren't as fanatic-religious as the other author is, you can read this book and not be drawn into the zombie like persuasion of "COME BE A CHRISTIAN, IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE". This book may have a little of that, but it isn't as noticeable as the other book --- or as annoying. The tone of this book is much more gentle and makes anyone feel welcome --- I think even people of different religions can read this and use it in their lives, just tune out the parts about Christian religion.

Go ahead and read it. If you aren't religious, you can ignore the pray parts and substitute it with "think about it", "ask for advice", or something along those lines. It has the perfect balance between for anyone who's not that religious and for people who might be too religious. :D

Out of the three books I got, I found this one and Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books this publisher publishes are, I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X

Oh, one last thing, this author has another book like this, but it is mostly about gossiping and things like that. I don't know if I will read it or not, so, we'll see. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Dr. Michael D. Sedler
Goodreads: When to SPEAK Up and When to SHUT Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler
Library Thing: When to SPEAK Up and When to SHUT Up by Dr. Michael D. Sedler

30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

A 30 DAYS TO ____ BOOK

30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

Harvest House Publishers

Published in 2005

ISBN 9780736915601

141 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

BOUGHT THE BOOK AS A GIFT, BUT READ BEFORE GIVING AWAY.
BOUGHT THE BOOK THROUGH AMAZON.COM.

Review/Rating:

1 out of 5



With Deborah Smith Pegues using biblical scriptures as your guides, this book will (or should I say, won't) help you with what you say and how you should say it, in order to improve both your personal and business relationships.

Let's see... what to say about this book? All right, let's start with the reason why I bought a religiously infused (or what I say, "BOOKS WHICH TRY TO MAKE YOU INTO EVEN MORE OF A RELIGION-FANATIC," how to book. I honestly didn't read the summary --- shame on me, but oh well. I ordered this with two other books, When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up and Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People, which are much better books in my opinion.

The only parts I liked are: some of the metaphors and similes, sayings, (very few) scriptures, able to finish it in one day (and not because I liked the book), and the poem at the end. I think When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up and Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People will help you more than this book. Only if you are a religious fanatic do I think this will be of help to you. >.>"

Worst parts: Too much religion to be any good for non-religious fanatics. Too much quoting and not enough explaining of how that particular part of biblical story matches what we should learn and how to put it into use. Also, the book just quotes the scripture without analyzing it or how to ask yourself questions on how to conduct yourself that much. Oh, it had some good points, but nothing really to show how to get to those good points. You can definitely tell it is a religious propaganda --- not that there is nothing wrong with that, but it's a waste of money for something you could get or hear from church. Also, during the beginning part, it says something about how only God can help you tame your tongue --- not your own hard earned efforts. Okay, this is me after reading that, "You mean nothing I do will matter, unless I become a mindless zombie of 'If you don't follow this, you'll go to hell.'" Do people really only need divine assistance in order to say and do the right thing?

While this book would be good if you are a heavy religious person, these "lessons" will not work with those who believe in a little of both self-efforts and beliefs (God, divine figure, morals, consciousness) will help you succeed. I rated it an one because I found it unhelpful, too religious, not enough real life examples or explanations over the biblical story quotes, and some of the information is kind of altered. If you research some of the fact parts, you'll know what I mean.

And no, I will not listen to comments along of the lines of "I shall pray for you. You are going to hell." Why? Because I have my own opinion and my own mind, I don't need you telling me how to think. Also, if this offends you because you are one of the ones where God is the total aspect of your life, then don't let it, because as I said before, you have your opinion, and I have mine. I'm sorry, but I can't help how I am. Let's just agree to disagree, and don't shove your views done my throat. Be smart, not confrontational. ^^

Oh, there is also a workbook for this book, but I don't know how it is since I didn't buy it along with this books. But if you are like me, I would suggest just going to your church and ask your leaders there to give you some counseling on how to improve your speaking skills and how to "tame" your tongue --- and then donate whatever you would have used to buy this book to the church.

Another note, this book isn't really apart of a series. The author just has a lot of "30 Days to ____" books, and no, I won't be reviewing or reading those since they aren't a series like in fiction.

Out of the three books I got, I found When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up and Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People to be the most helpful and insightful. If this is how all the help books from that publisher publishes, then I think I will order all the help books I need from them. :X Go read those books instead of this one --- it really is just a waste of money when you can learn it from your church for free.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Deborah Smith Pegues
Goodreads: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
Library Thing: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

The Garden of Eden by Eve Adams

 

The Garden of Eden by Eve Adams

Pseudonym for Stephen Coonts

St. Martin's Press

Published in 2005

ISBN 0312323638

338 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



When Sam Neely graduates from State Police academy, he is assigned to the small village of Eden with the population of 47. He has been thinking that it is just a dull little town with nothing going on, but things suddenly get interesting when Ed Harris finds his wife in bed with his best friend, Hayden Elkins. Afterwords, Ed gives Hayden his wife and tells him that he now has two wives, but it then more things spin out of control. Can the community come together and bring peace back to their little town?

What can I say about this book? Hmmm... it was... ummm... odd --- in the good way, I guess. Though, I really don't know what genre to put on this book. It's mostly about life in the village of Eden, which has a population of 47, and how the community can come together through mostly gossip and trouble. So, I guess, it's mostly a slice of life genre. >.>"

The writing was almost like a diary telling the life of people in the village of Eden --- missing on some details, skipping some parts that would make it more interesting, and a lot of gossip things. ^^; It is told through the point of view of several characters --- Sam Neely, Ed Harris, Anne Harris, Hayden Elkins, Junior Grimes, Diamond Ice, and many more. :| For me, the book would have been better if it was told through the point of view of a couple of them. Though, through telling it through several characters, they were almost like real life people and very believable, and at times, sort of funny. So it has a good point and a bad point --- you got to know the personalities and descriptions through different eyes, but there were so many that it skipped some things that could have made the book better. :(

Also, I like the descriptions and details that the author used, and it seemed liked there was enough, but it could have been more enjoyable. It felt like the author skipped some major scenes that would have made the ending have more sense. It feels like he was trying to write it as a way to understand women since they were pretty much the focus of the books --- but it didn't succeed much. :| Even though some people won't believe that a spouse wouldn't take their other half back after they cheat, I believe it because it happened with my parents. :D Though, I don't think they pretend it never happened --- like the characters do in the book. Though, since I'm their kid (no matter how old I am), they won't discuss things like that with me ;)

So I like how he put the forgiveness in there, despite on how unbelievable it is. The author makes the characters seem human and not hold a grudge, but we all know that isn't likely in real life. Everyone holds a grudge against something --- whether it's another human, country, animal, etc --- sad, but mostly true. So, the no holding grudges and forgiving everything is not like real life, but kind of like utopia. Amazing thought, but with humans being unpredictable, it won't happen anytime soon. :)

Things I didn't like were the fast paced events, which didn't really satisfy you, the off topic things, and kept on adding new problems instead of focusing on just one and build on that (and then add more problems), the amount of God in there --- it's mentioned, then it goes poof, then it appears again (like the author couldn't decide really to add God in the solution of the problems), and how the author made the women's personalities --- gossips, cheaters, nagging, etc.

I will only rate it a two star because it was an enjoyable read, but no higher because of the problems above, which irritate me the most. :| It is pretty much a good summer read since it won't take that much time to finish it.

Oh, just a warning, there are some sex (smut) scenes, but they aren't describe in that much details. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Stephen Coonts
Goodreads: The Garden of Eden by Eve Adams
Library Thing: The Garden of Eden by Eve Adams

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

 

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Balzer + Bray (Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061853289

408 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



In the village of Salem, during the 1690's, several young women accuse many people of being witches -- which is now known as the Salem Witch Trials. In Wicked Girls, this book is told from the perspective from the lead girls: Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Margaret Walcott. Each having their own reason for doing so, they have to decide whether or not it is too late to tell the truth.

I really don't know what to say about this book without revealing too much about the book and spoiling it. However, like with most historical fiction books, if you know the history and the book is completely based on it, you already know how it will end. :( Well, that's how it is with this novel, but it is still kind of interesting. ;) I'll just compare this novel with the one I read back in high school. :|

Compared to The Crucible by Arthur Miller, which is a play and considered "non-fiction", Wicked Girls is told by three of the girls and is a fiction novel. Also, the person who leads the group of girls is different, it's Abigail Williams in The Crucible, and in Wicked Girls, Ann Putnam Jr. starts it, but it ends with Mercy Lewis leading them. There is also a difference in who seem to pity in them, in Wicked Girls, you pity the girls, and in The Crucible, you pity the people the girls accuse. I don't remember, but you also see a new side to how the girls are treated after they put an end to the accusing. In The Crucible, I don't think the author ends the accusing in the actual play part. Also, I think you don't even meet Isaac Farraer, the guy that Margaret Walcott marries, in The Crucible. As you can tell from the comparisons, there are some very distinct differences between books, even though they have the same topic.

Personally, I didn't really like this book, but I like the idea behind the book. However, it felt like something was missing from the book -- it could have used more substance, action, and plot. The way it was left and how it was written made it feel like one of the Dear America books, but lacked the descriptions and substance the Dear America books have. I definitely would have liked it even more if it expanded it with more description and substance to it. >.>" Oh, by the way, I finished this book in one day, that's how short, unfulfilled, and (a little) interesting it feels like. Also, it felt more like a junior fiction book, like how the Dear America books are, than a young adult book, despite having a little sex scene in it. >.< However, that scene didn't go that into detail, so you don't have to worry about it too much. ^^ I also hated how it was in verse format. Don't know why, but I just didn't like it. ^^;

The idea is worth reading, but the lack of descriptions, details, and action makes it feel too incomplete and short. >.>" Read at your own risk. ^^; It would have been rated an one if it weren't for the idea behind the book, but no higher than a two because the author failed to pull it off with the lack of the things I mentioned

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Stephanie Hemphill
Goodreads: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Library Thing: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Book Envy: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Simply Books: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
My Reading Room: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Book Whisperer: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Dog-eared and Well-read: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Fallen by Lauren Kate

FALLEN SERIES BOOK 01

Fallen by Lauren Kate
Delacorte Press
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780385738934
452 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



After an accidental death of a friend, Luce Price is forced to go to Sword & Cross, a boarding school where problem students go. There she meets the mysterious Daniel Grigori, and she is immediately drawn to him. In a world of no outside communication, Daniel is the only good thing about her being forced to go to Sword & Cross. However, she's confused as to why Daniel goes out of his way to avoid her. Though, that won't stop her from pursuing or thinking about him. Luce is dying to find out why, but, will she even live long to regret it?

Okay, a fallen angel book. I mostly read adult fiction books that have fallen angels in it, so this will be the second "angel" book that I have read that's young adult. Compared to Eternal, this book and series is definitely lacking in details and exciting events at the moment.

Fallen starts out with a prologue, which, in my opinion, isn't really needed. Why? Because later on in the book it talks about Luce's past lives, so the beginning is just something that will confuse you more. Also, it takes out some of the suspense as to why he doesn't want to kiss her later on. So, it starts out with something that's not needed, but with the book, it doesn't have enough details --- and it gave me a headache with all of the useless and lack of details.

Also, it reminded me so much of Twilight, and no that's not a compliment, that it wasn't funny. The way that Luce just obsesses over Daniel and doesn't really care or notice anything else was creepily like Twilight, so I kind of lost my patience with this book. One thing I really hope with this book is that it doesn't end up like Twilight, where it doesn't tell you why the girl is different from others.

Translation: I really didn't like this book. The only reason why I would read the sequel to this book is to see if more details are more thoroughly explained than it was in this book.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Lauren Kate
Goodreads: Fallen (Fallen, #1) by Lauren Kate
Library Thing: Fallen by Lauren Kate
All Things Urban Fantasy: Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate
All Things Urban Fantasy: 2nd Opinion Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate
365 Days of Reading: Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

 

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Published in 1996

ISBN 0842335706

324 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Even though she knows that it is forbidden to look at the sin-eater, at her Grandmother's funeral, she catches a glimpse of the sin-eater. However, either by the curiosity of little girls or a more powerful force, she decides to find the sin-eater to help her get rid of her sin. Will she be able to find what she seeks? And, will the sin-eater be able to help her? Or, will everyone be saved from this encounter?

Been over two months since I have posted this, but I'll try to make a review that is longer than a sentence. >.<

After reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, I decided to read another one of her books to see if I would like it. Well, I kind of like it and I kind of don't. There is more religion down your throat than Redeeming Love, but not so much that you want to stop reading it.

At first, this book kind of starts slow, but after Cadi and some people go find the sin-eater it gets a little bit more exciting. The book has a lot of details almost like her other book that I have read, and the character development is also very good. Also, in the books I have read so far from her has a sense of historical detail in them, which is also very interesting -- especially this one since I had never heard about it until I read the book.

Go read the book. It's not as interesting as Redeeming Love, but it is still well written. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Francine Rivers
Goodreads: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Library Thing: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Working Girl Reviews: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Reading to Know: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers