Ending the year with Dumplin'

Reading the title of this post, you may think I am ending 2016 by eating dumplings. I do enjoy dumplings - old fashioned chicken and dumplings (my favorite meal each Wednesday evening served at church before GAs), as well as the Chinese variety, or pot stickers as they are sometimes known, but this is all about Willowdean Dickson, the main character in Julie Murphy's 2015 YA novel Dumplin'.

Dumplin'
by Julie Murphy

I wish Dumplin' had been written when I was a teen. I don't know if it would have significantly changed by life, but it might have made growing up a large girl easier. I was never a badass, but I have always been fat. Like all teens, you go through awkward stages where your peers tease you (now called bullying), but when you're a large person, it never seems to stop. Society does not accept large people. I say large, because I have always hated the word fat.

I remember the summer of 1990 driving up to my parent's house and seeing a tall, dark, and handsome young man sitting in the front yard of the house next door. He was playing with a huge rabbit. I'm not sure what prompted me to walk over, unless it was the rabbit. I didn't know this person, but I was brave enough to go over and introduce myself. I was instantly attracted to him, but I knew it would never be possible for someone like him to want to be with someone who looked like me. I saw him outside a few times over the summer, but knew nothing would come of it. He was older and so much more intelligent than me. Again, why would he want to have anything to do with me? I was silly teenager ~ and fat! There's that word again, but it accurately described me (and still does). Thankfully for me, Walter saw through the person I saw in the mirror. We will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary in May of this coming year.

Willowdean embodies the self conscious teen I was, as well as the middle aged adult woman I have become. I don't know if reading this book will help me to remove my own mental insecurities, but she has definitely put some things into perspective for me as we move into 2017. 

I love the quotation, "I think you gotta be who you want to be until you fee like you are whoever it is you're trying to become." To me, it seems like a great mantra moving forward as we open the door to wonderful opportunities and possibilities of a new year. I also need to remember "...half of doing something is pretending that you can". I hope I can embrace my inner Dolly Parton (and Willowdean) to make 2017 the best year yet, no matter what anyone else thinks, says, or does to stop me.

Dumplin' was published in September 2015 by Balzer + Bray. I would highly recommend this book for middle and high school readers. Although the book is listed as #1 in the Dumplin' series, I see no evidence of a subsequent book.

A Pattern for Pepper

The first thing I noticed when I open this book was the amazing attention to detail. The title, A Pattern for Pepper has a two-fold meaning in this book. Pattern can mean "a model or design used as a guide in needlework and other crafts" as in to make a dress, or "a repeated decorative design" as would appear on material to make a dress.

Pepper and her mother visit Mr. Taylor's shop to have a very special dress made. After Pepper's measurements are taken, Mr. Taylor takes time to introduce Pepper to a variety of different patterns in the textiles she can choose from for her dress, including herringbone, seersucker, tartan, houndstooth, Ikat, Argyle, pinstripe, dotted swiss, toile, and paisley. This introduction to textiles is extremely child friendly and informative. Mr. Taylor points out the pattern, tells the name, shows an example, and gives a one sentence definition or explanation of the patterns history. It is a perfect amount of information to get the author's point across without providing too much detail.

The illustrations are amazing. Patterns are everywhere and we generally don't take the time to see them all around us. These patterns are very obvious throughout the book in the bolts of materials, the clothing, floor, and even the lamp shape in the shop.

This book will be available for purchase in August 2017.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Tundra Books has provided a complimentary electronic copy of A Pattern for Pepper for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

Can You Find My Robot's Arm?

Can You Find My Robot's Arm?
by Chihiro Takuchi

Chihiro Takeuchi presents a fun story and amazing cut paper illustrations in Can You Find My Robots Arm? The intricately cut designs  force the reader to spend time looking to see if the robot's arm is in the picture or if we are merely supposed to reflect on the possibility of a substitute for the missing arm. Each subsequent page seems to get more complex and requires more scrutiny.

At the end, I came to the conclusion the robot's arm IS actually on each page, however since the arm is black and the background is also black you can't see the overlaying arm. :-) Amazing book to share with young readers.

This title will be available for purchase in July 2017.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Tundra Books, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of Can You Find My Robots Arm? for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

TLA Coloring Book - A Disaster Relief Fundraising Effort

This time last year an idea was planted. It took a few weeks for it to take root, but before I knew it a fundraising effort for the Texas Library Association's (TLA) Disaster Relief Fund was blossoming. The culmination of this year long project was revealed at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas on November 5, 2016.

TLA Coloring Book, Volume One & Volume Two

The TLA Coloring Book was unveiled and available for purchase on the first day of the festival at the TLA Booth. It was promoted with a huge coloring banner located in front of the state capitol.

Five images from the coloring book were displayed on the vinyl banner. Adults and children both loved using Sharpies to add their own personality to this collaborative coloring.

As the weekend progressed the backs of the banners were used by the festival attendees to show their own creativity and artistic expression. Even though the banner idea was not my own, I felt a great deal of pride seeing everyone having fun coloring together on images I brought together. The conversations of the young and old and the smiles were powerful to see as the weekend progressed. Everyone who colored on the banner walked away with a smile.

Of the sixty-six images in the two volume set, five were included on the coloring banner.

Image donated by Steve McDonald
(Chronicle Books)

Image donated by John Parra

Image donated by Nick Bruel

Image donated by Melissa Baker

Image donated by Betty Chapman

All of the images in the coloring book were graciously donated by the artists for inclusion in this fundraising effort for the Texas Library Association Disaster Relief Fund.  The fund started in 1999 with a raffle of the art work, The Bear Went Over the Mountain, donated by Rosemary Wells, who also donated a piece to the coloring book. Texas libraries impacted by disasters such as storms, fires, or flooding are encouraged to apply for financial support through the website. Over the years, funds have been used for a variety of reasons in libraries all across the state. Nine libraries received grants following the devastation of Hurricane Rita in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area in 2006 and eleven more grants were given to coastal libraries following Hurricane Ike three years later. In 2015 the Wimberley Village Library received a $2,000 grant to help with their photography recovery program following the devastating floods in the area.

The net proceeds from the sell of the coloring books go to the Texas Library Association Disaster Relief Fund. If you would like to purchase your own set of coloring books, they are now available online at the Texas Library Association website. The cost of the two-volume set is $20. However, if you purchase 4 sets, you will get 1 set free.

The coloring books will make a wonderful gift for all ages. In fact, it is two gifts in one because you are providing a one of a kind collection of images to color and you are helping Texas libraries who have been devastated by disaster.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the talented artists who graciously donated their work for the coloring book. Here is a complete list of artists who contributed to the TLA Coloring Book.

• Melissa Ann Baker
• Winifred Barnum-Newman
• Heidi Berthiaume
• Sophie Blackall
• Susan Branch
• Lisa Powell Braun
• Nick Bruel
• Joe Cepeda
• Betty Chapman
• Sarah Cox
• Bill Crawford
• Christa Crawford
• Bill DeOre
• Tomie dePaola
• Christopher Eliopoulos
• Mary Ann Emerson
• Denise Fleming
• Brian Floca
• Carolyn Dee Flores
• Douglas Florian
• AG Ford
• Laura Freeman-Hines
• Shinji Fujioka
• Charlotte Garrett
• Xavier Garza
• Tad Hills
• Molly Idle
• CS Jennings
• Pamela Johnson
• Lita Judge
• G. Brian Karas
• Autumn Kinsey
• Jarrett J. Krosoczka
• Laura Logan
• Loren Long
• Rafael Lopez
• Jeff Mack
• Juana Martinez-Neal
• Steve McDonald
• Wendell Minor
• Roxie Munro
• Lisa Nowlain
• Jessica Palmer
• John Parra
• LeUyen Pham
• Rylie Philpot
• Ronel D. PIerre
• Lizzy Rockwell
• Lynn Rowe Reed
• Dan Santat
• Judy Schachner
• Maysa Sem
• Diane Stanley
• Elizabeth Rose Stanton
• Mary Sullivan
• Nicole Tadgell
• Don Tate
• Dan Thompson
• Suzy Toronto
• Evan Turk
• Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• Rosemary Wells
• Kate Wiant
• Salina Yoon
• Toni Yuly
• Paul O. Zelinsky

Suspenseful Family Drama

I woke up extra early this morning so I could finish the book I only put down last night because I was so sleepy I could no longer focus on the words. Have I finished the book yet? No. I could make a long list of excuses, but the fact would remain I have not finished the book because I am too anxious for the ending. Is that not simply ridiculous? I don't want to finish reading the book because I am anxious to find out the ending! You'd think I was crazy.

Faultlines: a Novel
by Barbara Taylor Sissel

I have to admit I wanted to write my review of the book before finishing the book so I wouldn't ruin this wonderful story for anyone. I have never read any other book by Barbara Taylor Sissel, but after reading (almost to conclusion - as soon as I finish typing this review) Faultlines, she will definitely be added to my list of great authors. If I were to compare her to other authors I have read, I would have to say her writing style reminds me of a cross between Lisa Scottoline and Jodi Picoult (which happen to be two of my favorites). I believe these are justifiable comparisons, not only because of the character development, but also because of the twists and turns throughout the story line. In fact, while reading I told my husband, "Wow, that was a HUGE left turn at Albuquerque!" It is one of the tings I love about these authors. You think you know where they are going and then all of a sudden they through you a curve ball.

I have a number of connections to this book. I am a native Texan (I guess that statement is kind of obvious based on the title of my blog!). I have lived my entire life in the North Texas area, but have traveled extensively throughout my life to the areas mentioned in the book. Although I do not hold the position of counselor, as one of the characters - Libby - I have worked with a number of counselors in my position as a school librarian. I know and understand the bound which can be created between a student and their school counselor. Last, but by no means least, being the mother of a son who will soon turn twenty-one, I placed myself in the position of the two mothers in this book, Sandy and Jenna. I pray I never have to actually be in their shoes, but that is one of the realities we face each day as parents. We cannot control the actions of our children, only provide them with guidance, love, and encouragement.

Like I said before I have not finished this book. I want to make that point very clear. I highly recommend this book on the portion I have read thus far (77% of the book). I will not come back and revise my review based on the ending. I don't feel I could convey a fonder appreciation for this book. I know the characters and story line will remain in my thoughts for a very long time. I now need to stop praising the writing of Faultlines and go finish the book.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Lake Union Publishing, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of Faultlines for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

Book Club Murders by Leslie Nagel

The Book Club Murders
by Leslie Nagel

The opening pages show the scheduled book club selections for August through December. The diversity of female mystery writers on the list was a great start for this debut of the Oakwood Mystery Series by Leslie Nagel. This was the kind of book you start and do not want to put down until you have finished. The twists and surprises kept you on edge to the very end.

I love the character development and the sexual tension between Charley, the main character and a member of the Agathas Book Club, and Marcus Trenault, an Oakwood homicide detective. Although some of the actions taken during the story seemed a bit outlandish for the typical citizen, the story was presented in a very believable manner.

My only criticism is the inclusion of text from the books read by the Agathas (members of the book club). For those who have not read the titles listed at the front of the book, it might spoil the stories. Since I have read the majority of them, it was not a problem for me, but to those who could look to this list as potential reads, it just might be too much information. However, I loved how she built the mystery around these books.

I look forward to many more books featuring Charley and Marcus.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Alibi, a division of the Random House Publishing Group, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of The Book Club Murders for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

Home by Harlan Coben

Home
by Harlan Coben

As soon as I heard about the upcoming release of Home, I started watching for it on NetGalley.  I searched every day for the book to appear on the site which promotes and publicizes upcoming books. To say I was excited to see the book appear is an understatement. Having to wait another week after requesting the title was torture, but now after finishing the book, in two days, it was worth the wait.

Home is the eleventh book in the Myron Bolitar series. I hate to admit I have not read any of the other books in this series, they are now on my TBR list, but it is the truth. In all actuality this book could be a stand alone. Enough background information is shared with the reader so you don't feel like you are in the dark with the character interactions. The promotional trailer for this book builds suspense, but truly does not do the book justice. The only reason it took me two days to finish the book was because I could no longer keep my eyes open. I wanted to know what happened to Patrick and Rhys. I wanted to know how Myron and Win were able to find answers to questions that had been ten years in the making.  I love Mr. Coben's writing. He provides the reader with a wonderful story and enough suspense to keep you on your toes from the start. You won't see the what's coming in the end, and THAT is the best part.

As a side note, I love the shout outs to some of my favorite musicals throughout the book.

You too will be able to read this edge of your seat thriller on Tuesday, September 20th, when it is released. Get ready.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Dutton, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of Home for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.