Making Good

Here’s what’s on my list to read this year: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan The Maze Runner by James Dashner (YAFic) The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (YAFic) Chains & Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson (YAFic) Heist Society by Ally Carter (YAFic) Matched […]

I read 53 books last year, and these were my top 10 favorites, in no particular order: The Books of Bayern (#1-4) by Shannon Hale The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy Fire by Kristing Cashore Airman by Eoin Colfer The Help by Kathryn Stockett The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley […]

These aren’t necessarily new books this summer, just ones I got around to reading: White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages These is My Words by Nancy Turner Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers Beast by Donna Jo Napoli Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail […]

WINNER! The winner is Michelle! She said, “Oooh, I’ve been coveting the square needles for a long time, and the sock book looks fabulous! I have Toe-Up Books, and 2 at a time books, but none that marry the two. Would love it!” Send an email to kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com to claim your prize. THE PRIZE One […]

WINNER! The winner is Elizabeth! She said, “I would love to win as these are my kinds of projects to sew!” Send an email to kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com to claim your prize. THE PRIZE One reader will win a copy of Sew & Stow: 31 Fun Sewing Projects to Carry, Hold, and Organize Your Stuff, Your Home, […]

My sister in law told me for months that I should read These is My Words, and I only finally did because it was my book club book for June. I don’t know why I was hesitant – I think maybe the title had something to do with it. But I just finished it and […]

Guest post by Jennifer from The Literate Mother. Every year about this time, I start to feel a small wave of panic settle in. Knowing that summer is just around the corner is exciting, but daunting. I am almost as relieved as my kids are to be done with reports, projects, homework and the strict […]

Thanks to all the excellent recommendations from my like literary-minded friends, 2009 was a year filled with good books. Here is a complete (I think…) list of books I read in 2009. I would recommend every one except #s 22, 37, 38, and 39. Schooled by Gordon Korman A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle […]

After I finished this book last night, I handed it over to my husband and told him HE HAD to read it. I like me a good fantasty book, and Elantris is a must read. The story is very unique with some really inventive and creative elements and some great characters. Although one of the […]

I’m always on the lookout for great books for boys, and this is a winner. I remember hearing lots of good things about this book years ago but I’d never read it until now, and it is a great story with some great lessons. If you don’t know, the story is about a boy named […]