Uh-oh, Cleo by Jessica Harper

From the book jacket:

People call us the “not-so-Small” family because our last name is Small and we have about a million kids. Well, six. And when your family’s big, crazy stuff happens all the time, like what happened to me on Stitches Saturday …

I’ve had this book on my desk to read for quite some time. With my granddaughter’s birthday Sunday, I thought I’d give it a quick look so I can give it to her.

Well, I was truly surprised. In fact, I ended up reading it word for word!

Poor little Cleo gets a cut on her head and needs to be taken for stitches. It was an accident, but she’s worried her brother might get into trouble. After all, he’s the one who was climbing the bookshelf when it fell over.

This book is so appropriate for my granddaughter. She’s kind of klutzy and has gone to the emergency room a couple times for stitches.

Jessica Harper is a wonderful author and now, I find out she can also write great children’s stories.

I’m so glad I read “Uh-oh, Cleo” because I truly enjoyed it! Now, I will get to pass this great book on to my granddaughter. By the way, it will be her first book signed by the author and I’m so glad that author is Jessica.

Where's the Pickle?

Aren't these guys too cool?! I took these pictures yesterday. I couldn't believe how close they were. I love watching the pelicans that hang out in our area wildlife refuge. They are so fun to look at.

Monday Mail Call

This week, I came away with quite an eclectic array of items.

1. Dark Sky At Dawn by L.C. Lewis

2. Confessions of a Trauma Junkie by Sherry Jones Mayo (for review)

3. Obama’s Blackberry by Kasper Hauser

Author Samantha Gail sent me a cover flat and badge from her book “She Who Dares Wins.” How fun!

And – to top it off – I received a copy of the e-book “Faith of the Heart” from author Sandy James.

The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice

From the back of the book:

“When a respected professor’s wife drives to her death in an icy river, an illicit relationship between a student the his teacher threatens to come to light, and within days Atherton University is the scene of escalating speculation and intrigue.”

This was an interesting book, to say the least. When it first came out in 2001, it received mixed reviews. Many weren’t very positive.

I did like it, although I thought it was a little drawn out. In this case, Christopher Rice went into too much detail about the characters’ dysfunctional lives to the neglect of the story itself. It took over half the book before he ever begins to talk about what is really happening.

He is a good writer. He just needs to get to the point sooner as several times I wanted to put the book down and forget it.

I’m glad I finished it, though. It turned out to be a very intriguing story. However, I don’t think I’d recommend it to someone who wants an easy read.

I give this novel three books because of the imagination Rice (who by the way, is the son of author Anne Rice) put into the writing of this story. It is a good premise.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

From the back of the book:

Meet Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl - until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in be with Darcy's fiance. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from.

I really liked this book. Emily Giffin brings to the reader a wonderful group of characters the reader can definitely relate to. In fact, the book is all about the characters and is never bogged down with extraneous descriptions of the scenery or location. It's simply a story about relationships and how intertwined they can become. Whether you view them as honest or dysfunctional or just plain wrong, this book will make you cry, laugh and yell out loud. Be sure there are no interruptions when you begin reading this novel. You'll not want to put it down until you find out how it turns out.

Friday Fill-Ins

The Friday Fill-Ins post you find around blogland is hosted by Janet at http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/.


And...here we go!

1. She had a great time at the party as she watched her best friend make a fool of herself.

2.My cell phone is by my side, always.

3. I know this: No one ever said life was going to be easy, so deal with it!

4.Clem was hiding in the woods next to his still.

5. These words apply to me: an interesting blend of wife, mom, grandma and a darn good journalist.

6. When I went outside earlier today, the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing the book I've been reading, tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to take a drive, but I will probably be trying to finish some writing!