Ras Muhamad: Salute To Mbah Surip For Fighting Reggae Music

Tak Gendong, the song was sung by late Mbah Surip recognized as one of the pillars in the realm of reggae music in the homeland music biz. In spite of this type of music was in fact already exists in Indonesia, but thanks to Mbah Surip, all levels of society are now more familiar with music that is often played on beach.

It is recognized by reggae musician Ras Muhamad. He said Mbah Surip merits to introduce reggae are big enough. Mbah Surip tirelessly continue to struggle to sing reggae-nuanced songs in every occasions.

"I salute to his struggle on the street. Because reggae music is the street music and opens. He remains undaunted to keep on work. We lost, and he always invites laughter," Ras Muhamad said.

In fact, he added, when met recently by KapanLagi.com in Central Jakarta, Mbah Surip making mainstream music turned. Not follow the mainstream, but mainstream then following Mbah Surip.

"As far as I know, he always played reggae. Tak Gendong created since 1983 but booms recently. He's not go to mainstream, but the mainstream following Mbah Surip. 's Why this song is very powerful. Although had a reggae root, but was more relaxed and easy listening. I salute , until the children was happy with this song. Reggae became more familiar and more powerful existence, "he explained

Is it worthy if Mbah Surip said as pioneer of reggae? Ras shook his head. "If about that, I agree more on fact that he is a senior of reggae. Because I see the first who fight for reggae music in Indonesia is Tonny Qiub as pioneer," he concluded.

The Route - Gale Sears

Summary: Zipping along life's highway . . . Fifty makes you think. Thirty makes you morose, and forty makes you panic, but fifty makes you think. Half a century, and what is my life? Does it resemble anything I dreamed at sixteen, or expected at twenty, or hoped at twenty-five? What am I doing here? . . . I thought of climbing to the top of a high mountain in Tibet to consult a wise man, but I like vacations where there is indoor plumbing and vegetation. Since I already attended church, I thought perhaps I could pay closer attention. Maybe I'd been missing a great fundamental truth. Well, come to find out, I had been missing something. . . . Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she¹s in for a life-changing and route-altering‹ experience. (summary from galesears.com - image from walnutsprings press)

Here at Reading For Sanity, we are of several minds (and ratings) on this book. Here’s three opinions from three reviewers who are at different places in their lives.
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Chris’s Review: I loved this book! It drew me in on the very first page and didn’t let go of me until the last. I found myself riding along with Carol as she delivered meals, getting to know and love the people she delivered the meals to, and feeling the emotions she felt as she got to know each person. The names on Carol’s delivery list became more than just names to her (and me), they became real people with amazing lives.

The author did what a good author is supposed to—she made me feel like I was part of the story that was unfolding. I laughed at what “old age” sometimes makes people say, I cried because of all the sadness and loneliness in their lives, I felt anger at the way some of their children treated them and I even felt guilt (mostly because I have and 86 year old mother and a sister who lives in an assisted living center). The characters ranged from kind, gracious and loving people living in nice, but humble homes, to ornery people living in trailers or run down apartments. Their stories were all different but in the end they all needed what Carol could and did give them---LOVE.

My Rating: 5+ Stars

Sum It Up: I was telling people about this book before I’d even finished it. I would recommend it to anyone. It was a wonderful read!
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Emily's Review: I was intrigued by the summary of this book. It looked to be a nice read with the possibility of introspection and occasional bits of wisdom. And gratefully, that is what I got.

I appreciated that this was a book about a fifty-year-old woman, written by someone…ahem, who I would guess is about that age as well. The introduction of the book explains that this is a novel based on the author’s similar experience. Because of its basis in reality it has a perfectly plausible “plot” (really more of a collection of moments and events), and the authors thoughts and reasons for starting this volunteer experience are those I could imagine myself having. Okay, so actually I have thought these things (minus the being fifty part) and even looked up the meals-on-wheels in our area.

The narrator of the story serves a group of people that I found as fascinating as she did. As I read of her interactions with them I felt like I got to know them just as she did. Introducing the reader to these people is the point of the story and the part I most enjoyed.

This book fits in the category of “what I’ve learned in my life” memoirs (I’m assuming its mostly true, even though billed as a novel) and functioned best under that role when simply telling the story. It was less successful when the author pointed out “what had been learned,” generally by using (over-using) the phrase “I made a mental note to…” I could have done without nearly every “aside” of this type; they watered down the message by taking away my own incentive to try and seen the meaning in the stories she told.

My Rating: 3.5 stars – Worth reading, not life changing.

Sum it Up: A nice read with the possibility of introspection and occasional bits of wisdom.
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Heather’s Review: Gale Sears begins her novel, The Route, in a uniquely captivating manner. It almost seems like the narrator of the story, Carol, is writing a letter to the reader about what it feels like to turn fifty after spending life as a SAHM when all the children have left home. Carol speaks in a witty manner about filling the void in her life, quickly drawing the reader in. Unfortunately the book quickly loses momentum in the next chapter as the story turns from an amusing narrative of one lively lady’s life to a chronicle of her volunteer experiences with brief glances into the lives of the seniors she delivers meal to. Carol loses her substance and charm, becoming a character that merely exists on Thursdays (her volunteer day).

I longed for more detail into Carol’s life and felt that this lack of information left Carol a one-dimensional character.I would not consider this novel especially thought provoking, however it did contain quite a few enjoyable antedates and quotes worth a minute or two of pondering. The story overall, while leaving much to be desired, did a good job of showing the benefits of volunteering from both the receiving side and the giving side. It left me longing to be of more service to others.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars, I wouldn’t say that I didn’t like it, I just didn’t find it as enjoyable as many of the books I have given 3 stars to.

Sum it up: A quick and mildly entertaining glance into the power of volunteering and the beauty of age.
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AVERAGE RATING : 3.67 Stars

Available at Amazon or Deseret Book.

Don't forget to check out Gale's blog or Walnut Springs Press blog for more great book suggestions.

Would you like to win a free autographed copy of this book?!?! Just comment on this review and you'll be entered to win.

Pretties - Scott Westerfeld

Read Kari's review for the first book in this series, Uglies. And for the love of Pete, do not read this review if you don't want to know what happens in the first book.

Summary: Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect. Perfectly wrong.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted. But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive. (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: Despite all her hard work, Tally still ends up with the cosmetic and mind altering surgery the rest of her hometown community undergoes. It was part of the plan, but the principle of the matter was to not get the surgery. Tally is doing what she can to make up for giving away the location of the Smokies, compromising the safety of everyone who had worked so long and hard to stay hidden.

It seems Tally's most consistent vice is betraying those she cares about most. In this book she resolves to make up for it. After receiving the surgery, a message is delivered to her that sparks her distant memory. This leads her on a new mission: to reveal the truth about the pretty-making surgery. She is also the guinea pig for a reversal pill counteracting the mind-altering surgery.

As usual, Westerfeld masterfully throws in many twists, turns, angst, mistakes and miscommunication that makes the book more than a trite novel. Tally has faults, but she's also endearing because underneath all her actions is a desire to do what is right. Perceptions of betrayal are also realistically portrayed, because in the teen years this tends to occur in female relationships at some point, and over some boy.

The power-hungry Specials are out for Tally. The depth of the Specials isn't fully explored in this book, which is what drives the reader to pick up the third in the series. I have to admit the description of the Specials is enough to give anyone the creeps--extra strength, speed, almost indestructability and the creepy sharp features and nails. It makes you wonder what kind of people would purposefully give almost an entire nation a labotomy while at the same time painting a vivid picture of what that person would really be like. A little author help in the reasoning processes there.

This book doesn't end the series, so again it is left open for The Specials. I can't say Pretties was better than Uglies because the Uglies really hooks the reader and sets the stage for the rest of the series. Pretties is probably my least favorite, but overall is still a good book. It would just be my least favorite of the four books.

Again, the vernacular is there again in this book: Tally-wa, dizzy-making, bubbly, etc. I'll say it again. Despite creating a realistic world of teen language, it is VERY annoying after a while.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Sum it up in a phrase: More thought-provoking material about control, betrayal, friendship, beauty, the complexities of love, and power.

Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

Read Kari's review of the sequel, Pretties.

Summary: Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license — for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world — and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever. (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I had a hard time putting this book down once I was vested in the characters. Right from the start it transports you back to your teen years when all that seems to matter is how you look, that you belong, and are having a fabulous time. Tally wants badly to join her childhood friend with all the other Pretties. This strange world in the future gives every 16 year old--boy and girl--massive cosmetic surgery making them intensely, captivatingly beautiful. While this gets rid of the advantage naturally beautiful people have, it also takes away all individuality.

What is left out, when the kids are informed of the surgery beforehand, is that something else, something sinister is being done--I'm not telling you what that is here: you have to read the book. Tally finds this out rather by accident. And then she is thrown into a world she didn't know existed and a quest she didn't know she believed in.

There are many themes to this book that are great to discuss with kids and I think with adults as well. I'd recommend this series for a book club. There are themes of what true beauty is or is not, power and how power corrupts, control and how we are controlled, society and what makes a society good, media and how it shapes thinking, etc.

One part of the book that makes it both unique and annoying is Westerfeld's creative dialect made realistically of Teen vernacular. Tally is eventually called Tally-wa. Everything is pretty-making, or bubbly, or many other adjective-driven, valley-girl sounding slang. While this makes the book seem very teen realistic, it's VERY annoying by the end of the series.

My warning to parents: I'd probably say this book is for an older Young Adult, or one that can handle older themes. The book throws kids into the world of partying and drinking quickly as this is a norm of life once the surgery is performed. The message is a good one despite this: drinking and partying is a mindless way of life. I'm still not comfortable with many middle school age kids reading this book unless drinking and partying is already a normal part of his or her life--and yes, there are many that this is the case. For high school students, I feel, this is a very applicable read. In addition, the subsequent books after Uglies go into darker themes. Therefore, if you're not wanting your teen to delve into those subsequent books, it may be best not to get them started on this one until they're older.

As I just mentioned, there are 3 books following this one so the ending is purposefully left open. As an aside, Uglies was probably my favorite.

Rating: 4.5 Stars Almost a 5 stars, but lacked just a little of that 'I adore you' aspect to make it so.

Sum it up in a phrase: Definitely a social commentary book aimed at teens about what really matters: beauty or what's beneath your skin.

Anang - KD Divorce: Third Person In The Romantic Triangle ?

Divorce of a beautiful singer Krisdayanti (KD) from her husband Anang Hermansyah had already happened in religion. However, for legal divorce, Anang who is also a singer still had to wait for the right time. At least such recognition from KD's relative, Hadi Sunyoto.

"Officially they are not yet divorced, but it is religion. For the official's are heading that way. Enunciated course, it's still the holly month of Ramadhan," said producer of KD Production, Hadi Sunyoto when found in an KD Production office at the Plaza Margaguna, Radio Dalam, South Jakarta.

Men are often produced every Krisdayanti's show was explained if Anang and KD have discussed this issue since the middle of this month. In the middle of this month they have started talking about their future. It was just happen recently," said Hadi.

On that occasion, as mentioned about causes of the divorce, Hadi said, if the mismatch actually to cause their divorce. Hadi Sunyoto also denied the existence of a third person who become the culprit of their divorce.

"According to Anang said, they are no longer match to each other. Nor was KD who was issued her book, not for nothing. It was because of the mismatch of each other alone," he said.

Fablehaven - Brandon Mull

Summary: For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most. (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: Considering I'm not much of a fantasy/mythical enthusiast, this book was pretty good. It again (seems like a lot lately) took me a while to get into: at least the first 100 pages. Once into the novel, I did want to finish and know just how the magic worked and how the myths played out being true for this world.

Kendra was a likable protagonist and her brother added the conflict necessary for a good story. Like a typical horror flick, Seth made stupid or rash decisions that brought about calamities that required magic to be fixed. I truly enjoyed the ending; how the author wrapped up the dire circumstances.

There are only a couple aspects to the book I, as a mother and tend to be more conservative in this area, felt uncomfortable with. One of those is the idea of bringing magic and evil beings into your life. Not that the book promotes this exactly, but even the grandfather choosing to share this secret with kids makes me a little uncomfortable. Take that as you will; I felt I should mention my gut feelings.

Overall, it was a good read. I enjoyed the fairies and other new creatures that were for the most part kind. I'm definitely going to read the second in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars

Sum it up in a phrase: A fun book full of mythical creatures and magical ideas.

L.A. Coroner: Michael Jackson Murdered | Suspect: Dr. Conrad Murray

Big question mark on the death of the World Superstar Michael Jackson finally answerred by a report from the The Los Angeles County coroner's office. More than two months after the death of Michael Jackson or Jacko on last June 25, the U.S. authorities finally issued an official statement which confirmed that the death of the King of Pop is a murder by giving a lethal drug overdose.

As quoted by the U.S. media, officials of Los Angeles coroner's office, on Friday issued an official statement stating that propofol aka hard drugs and tranquilizers Lorazepam as a strong cause of Jacko's death.

LA coroner's office also found other drugs detected in the body of Michael Jackson, which is a mixture of sedative Midazolam and Diazepam; Lidocaine pain killers and stimulants Ephedrine.

However, at the request of the police and the Los Angeles County district attorney, the office is still sealed complete autopsy report of Jacko's death. Since the death of Michael Jackson on June 25 - he suffered heart failure at his home in Los Angeles, police investigation of the case is directed at the content of drugs in the body of Jackson.

Investigations are also directed to the performance of doctors, especially his personal physician - Dr. Conrad Murray, who handles Jackson when the king of pop was dead.

According to media reports, the Los Angeles police would bring the case to the prosecutor, which is likely to issue criminal charges of premeditated murder. Dr. Conrad Murray is a person who is suspected of killing Jackson accidentally - this is mentioned in a search warrant to the Conrad's office.

Meanwhile, Entertainment Tonight (ET) on Friday afternoon cites reaction from the Jackson's family about the autopsy results released by the Los Angeles coroner's office.

ET quoted Jackson's family saying that they praised the performance of coroner's office, the Police and the Los Angeles authorities and hope that justice for Michael Jackson soon reached.

Number The Stars - Lois Lowry

Summary: It’s 1943 Copenhagen and the Jews of Denmark are being “relocated,” so Annemarie Johansen’s best friend, Ellen, moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. When Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission, she must find the courage to save her friend’s life. (summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I read this book first when I was in middle school. It was my introduction to World War II and the holocaust. Being a book meant for a younger audience, this story is tame in its depiction of the Nazi's and the war in general. The message is still very clear. The Nazi's took over and threatened many countries' people and way of life. The protagonist is a young girl, who bravely helps a Jewish family smuggle out of Denmark to neutral Sweden. I liked the message that there is something you can do, despite scary and trying times. Another message I liked was that we, as a people, shouldn't just sit by and watch others be persecuted or hurt. We should take action against what we know to be wrong, evil, or violent.

I used this book in my seventh grade English Language Learner class with great success as the reading level and the interest matched. The reading level is probably a bit low for most middle school students overall, although some sixth graders might enjoy the short length and high intensity.

Rating: 4 stars

Sum it up in a phrase: A short--but very succinct--depiction of the sacrifices good people made to help their Jewish friends, from a young girl's the point of view .

The City of Ember - Jeanne DuPrau

Summary: Lights shine in the city of Ember—but at the city limits the light ends, and darkness takes over. Out there in the Unknown Regions, the darkness goes on forever in all directions. Ember—so its people believe—is the only light in the dark world. And now the lights of the city are beginning to fail. Is there a way to save the people of Ember? No one knows. But Lina Mayfleet has found a puzzling document, and Doon Harrow has made discoveries down in the Pipeworks. With these clues, they start their search. (Image and summary from here)

My review: When Doon and Lina were both assigned jobs in Ember that neither of them wanted, they switched. Simple as that. Now, each is trying to master their new jobs while struggling with the ever-increasing blackouts that plague Ember. When the lights die, there is no other light. Their entire world is dark. Doon feels he must do something and is trying to desperately find a way out of the city and beyond the darkness. Lina becomes his ally, and is increasingly worried for her family and by the strange messages that are being passed around the city. When Lina and Doon receive an vital piece of information that seems to hint at a way out of Ember, they embark on an adventure to save the city, and themselves before the lights go out forever.

When I first read this book, several years ago, I was immediately (and pleasantly) reminded of The Giver. I think it was the concept of a mysterious "community" and job assignments. Anyway, I was afraid that it was going to turn into a knock-off, but was pleasantly surprised by how the author worked it all out. I loved how this book held mysteries but allowed the reader to try to figure out clues before Lina and Doon are able to. When the characters encountered objects they had never seen before and described them with new eyes, it was fun to be able to guess what they were and then wait in anticipation until Lina and Doon figured it out.

I truly enjoyed this book and feel that it is appropriate for all ages. I think that kids will be attracted to the adventure and mystery of it all and will feel as if they are part of the adventure.
The ending allows for closure, but really hooks you into reading the next book, The People of Sparks. I have recommended this book to many adults who have really liked it and even asked to borrow the rest of the books in the series (to be read, no matter what anyone else says, in this order): The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold.

My rating: 4.5 Stars.

Sum it up: A fun, clever, and adventurous read for boys and girls alike.

The Giver - Lois Lowry

Summary: Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community.

When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

My review: Jonas has always been like everyone else--well, almost. He dresses the same, lives in a family unit just like everyone else, and always strives for precision of language. Sameness is, after all, very important to the Community. But Jonas has almost unheard of eyes and an inquisitive spirit that cannot be repressed. When he is assigned a special job in the Community with its own special rules, Jonas light-colored eyes begin to notice things. Something is wrong—very wrong. The more Jonas knows, the more he understands, and the less he likes what he is seeing.

Marketed as a young adult book, The Giver can be read on many different levels. It is at a 4th grade reading level but I first read this book my junior year in high school and it has been one of my favorite books ever since.

I can’t explain the many ways that I simply love this book. It is enchanting and eery at its' very center and there are moments of revelation that stun me each time I read its' pages. Lowry’s writing is masterful but simplistic—a single turn of phrase is so full of meaning and not a word is wasted. I buy used copies every time I see them so that I can give it away to the surprising number of people who’ve never read it before. If you haven't read this book - you must. Now.

My rating: 5 Stars - all exactly the same proportions. Some darker themes that might not be understood by younger children.

Sum it up: A fantastic read! One of my all-time favorite books for young or old.

Limbad Break The Record Of Standing For 20 hours On 20-meter-high Tower

Limbad, the magician popularly known from a TV show called The Master managed to break the record stood in the tower for 20 hours nonstop in the framework of the 20th anniversary of the RCTI, one of the biggest TV station in Indonesia.

Just as the time showed 20 hours at 20:15, Limbad then jumped from the 20-meter-high tower in RCTI Kebon Jeruk area, Jakarta, Monday night and survived the fall with a large balloon in the bottom.

"Welcome to the great concert 20 years of RCTI," said Limbad after the jump. The attraction from Limbad who rarely speaks opening the concert of 20 years of RCTI with the theme Mewujudkan Mimpi Indonesia / Realizing Dreams of Indonesia.

On that occasion, the world's magician Danny Cole, a three-time champion in World Magic Championship, do attractions by replacing shirt and tie that he wears according to fashion images shown.

While Deddy Corbuzier successfully made an attraction of catching 38-caliber bullet fired from a gun by a policeman from a distance of 8 meters. "Carrying this game since the 18th century, there have been 16 people who died in the conduct of this attraction," said Deddy Corbuzier.

Seeing the dangerous attraction by Deddy Corbuzier, Danny Cole said Deddy is an extraordinary magician managed to do attractions for the bullet catch. In addition to great attractions of Limbad and Deddy Corbuzier, a magician performed at the ceremony from the Master TV Show was Rommy Rafael, Joe Sandy, Rizuki, Abu Marlo and the very young magician Glen.

The Route - Blog Tour

From Monday, August 24th until Monday,
September 14th, we'll be participating in a blog tour for "The Route" by Gale Sears. You can read daily reviews and interviews at the following blogs and you can enter to win a free autographed copy of the book by leaving a comment on a review. The great thing is that you can enter multiple times by commenting on multiple reviews!

COMMENT ON OUR REVIEW or any of the others and be entered to win this book!

August 24
The Book Nest

August 25
Mormon Hermit Mom's
Book Habit

August 26
Boojoos and Aprilcots

August 27
Of Good Report

August 28
Blog the Day Away

August 31
Reading for Sanity

September 1
Lu Ann's Book Review

September 2
*Tristi Pinkston, LDS
Author

September 3
Amesbury Reads

September 4
Tangled Words and Dreams

September 7
Labor Day

September 8
Not Entirely British

September 9
Jewel's World

September 10
Rebecca Talley

September 11
Of Writerly Things

September 14
Walnut Springs Press

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009 Hot Photos Latest Pictures Supermodel Wallpapers Venezuela Stefania Fernandez Pictures

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009 Hot Photos Latest Pictures Supermodel Wallpapers Venezuela Stefania Fernandez Pictures Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela, and the winner of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant. See her hot photos, biography and videos here iss Venezuela was the fairest of them all, again. Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Univere pageant in the Bahamas on monday.

The Highest Tide - Jim Lynch

Summary: Miles O'Malley is a speed-reading, insomniac, Rachel Carson-obsessed thirteen-year-old in love with the girl next door. When he stumbles across a rare sea creature on the tidal flats one moonlit night, he becomes a national phenomenon, haled by the press and even a local cult as a kind of prophet. Through the summer, while the sea continues to offer him discoveries from its mysterious depths, Miles navigates the equally mysterious process of growing up. As the close of the summer approaches, and with it the highest tide of the year, this luminous tale of obsession and natural wonder surges toward an unforgettable ending. (Excerpt from book cover - picture from here.)

My review: I have loved the ocean since my first real experience with it, exploring the tidal pools of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon with my not-yet-fiance Curt. I have feared it since we went body-boarding and I realized that pretty much anything could be swimming under my feet. As a result, I am somewhat captivated by anything oceanic and what first drew me to this book was it's cover. To start off, this book is beautiful, literally. I don't know about it's other covers, but the one I have (pictured above) is what initially drew me to the book. I found it at Goodwill and it caught my eye instantly. The summary (and the fact that it was a Book Sense/Indiebound Pick) sealed the deal and into the shopping cart it went.

While I adored Miles' almost worshipful descriptions of the ocean and thrilled at his rare finds, there was altogether too much "guy talk" in this book for my taste. I kept getting thrown bodily into the mind of a 13-year old boy--a place, I assure you, no 29-year-old woman EVER wants to be. Miles and his friends exposed me to quite a bit more sexual conversation, male fantasies, and, ahem, creative and adult language than I felt was necessary for the storyline.

If you can get past those sections (and that, I believe, is a personal choice) then this book is chock full of interesting discoveries and fascinating descriptions of marine life in Puget sound. Having never really seen the ocean (that I can remember) before the age of 20, I felt inexplicably drawn to this mysterious tidal world and the animals hiding in its' depths. (Teensy Spoiler Here) The ending felt a little bit anticlimactic for me, as I was expecting another mind-blowing discovery and didn't really get it. (Spoiler Over)

All in all, I enjoyed the main part of the story, but wished that it hadn't been so full of what I'm certain was a thoroughly realistic interpretation of the mental wanderings of the average 13-year-old male. Alas, I can't have everything. This was, however, a Book Sense (now Indiebound) Best Pick, which means that independent booksellers everywhere thought it was worth a read and you might too.

My rating: 3 Stars. Contained adult language and frequent sexual comments.

To sum it up: A 50/50 split -- Part fascinating marine exploration/part hormonal teenage ramblings.

Running Out of Time - Margaret Peterson Haddix

Summary: Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana, in 1840 — or so she believes. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie's mother reveals a shocking secret — it's actually 1996, and they are living in a reconstructed village that serves as a tourist site. In the world outside, medicine exists that can cure the dread disease, and Jessie's mother is sending her on a dangerous mission to bring back help.

But beyond the walls of Clifton, Jessie discovers a world even more alien and threatening than she could have imagined, and soon she finds her own life in jeopardy. Can she get help before the children of Clifton, and Jessie herself, run out of time? (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I loved the concept of this book. I love that the protagonist is female. Her mother entrusts her with the dark secret that their life is just a facade for a museum attracting tourists and money. They really do have medicine to heal their people, but the owners of the land and museum are preventing their acquisition of it to make the environment more authentic. I felt the author did a good job portraying Jessie's confusion and reactions to the outside world as she tries to get help.

It's a super fast read, and from my vantage point I felt it could have been longer. But, for a middle school adolescent reader it's probably perfect: high interest, easy reading, not very long, therefore not intimidating. It's the type of book that helps build confidence and a love for reading. I'd definitely recommend this to my students as a 5 star read. For adults it's more of a 4 star read.

Rating: 4 stars

Sum it up in a phrase: If you've seen the movie The Village, same premise. A small community set up to live like it is the 1840's without the inhabitants knowing.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling

Summary: There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Here are just a few things on Harry's mind:
--A Defense Against the Dark Arts teach with a personality like poisoned honey
--A venomous, disgruntled house-elf
--Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team
--The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

...and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J.K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the importance of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back. (Summary from book jacket - Image from amazon.com)

My review: I started this book with a slightly heavy heart. Having read it before, I wasn’t too terribly excited to delve back into a book that I remembered as being a bit heavy on the whine and lighter on the humor than I have come to expect from Rowling’s work. However, I discovered on reading it again that it all made a bit more sense to me, and what bugged me before about the book was part of what made it truly amazing. Throughout this book I was completely at the mercy of J.K. Rowlings writing ability as she took me on a roller coaster of human emotions. I laughed out loud and was tied into wicked little knots. I was surprised and unnerved, and I loved every minute of it.

Don’t get me wrong. I wanted to rip pages out of this book (gasp). There are parts of this book that are extremely frustrating but (and you’ll just have to trust me on this because I’m not going to spoil it) they are vital to the plot and while they grated at me so completely, the book would not have been half of what it was without them.

Harry is your typical whiny, volatile teenager. I mean, I understand that he just saw a boy killed and the Dark Lord restored to power, but you’d think he could still manage a little civility towards his friends and family. He’s moody, irritable, and sometimes just plain annoying, though it turns out he has a very good reason that you don't fully understand till the end.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of the book is one of J.K. Rowlings best characters ever – Dolores Jane Umbridge. She is a loathsome, horrific, undeniably misled, and unbelievably aggravating character who is exceptionally well written--so well written in fact that I wanted to crawl into the story and claw her eyes out. I. HATED. HER. I mean, quite possibly more than I was supposed to, as she was near to edging out Voldemort on my “List of HP Characters Who I Want Killed Off.” Incidentally, also on that list is Lucius Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew, Bellatrix Lestrange, and for some reason Pansy Parkinson. What can I say? I knew girls like her in high school. Having to read about Umbridge and her insanity throughout the book was enough to make me want to throw the book across the room. The only thing that kept me reading (other than, well, faith in J.K. Rowling) was a strong desire to see her get her comeuppance.

While Goblet of Fire was darker from a magical standpoint, this book was darker from an emotional standpoint. There is a mysterious connection between Harry and Voldemort that is creating all sorts of turmoil inside Harry, only compounded by outside factors like Dumbledore’s lack of communication, and Umbridge’s reign of terror. These intensely written portions of the book are part of what make it so powerful. The result is that this book is incredibly full of conflict. It definitely has it’s humorous moments, that I adored, but on the whole this book was much more angst-filled than its’ predecessors.

Rowling's plot development is amazingly intricate, with clues and foreshadowing dropped chapters, if not books, in advance that help weave the story together seamlessly. On a second time through, I was more able to pick these things up, and occasionally ended up just staring at the page in slack-jawed amazement at her ability to plan ahead.

Order of the Phoenix allowed me to see more of the intentional flaws in all the characters – Mrs. Weasley’s fears, Hermione’s torrential temper during O.W.L.S., Ron’s inability to overcome his Quidditch insecurities, and Harry’s emerging darkness and deepest fears. It made them more real as characters and ultimately even more likeable. My husband pointed out, and I agree, that one of the best things about this book was that it was the first time where so many characters worked together in the end, actually applying what they had learned at Hogwarts. It was no longer Harry alone. He had people by his side, fighting with him, and it was marvelous!

SIDENOTE : For me, this book (and to be honest, most of it’s predecessors) set to rest the recently argued “Twilight vs. Harry Potter” dispute. Other than a wide fan base, they don’t have much in common. While Meyer is great at pulling at the heartstrings of innumerable women of any age all over the world (I myself have fallen victim to some literary swooning) and transporting us back to that moment in freshman year where we were just going to DIE of love, it is simply no match for the evocative writing, humor, cleverness, foresight, and insane character development of J.K. Rowling. Hands down. Rowling wins. No contest. I’m a fan of both, truly, but I have to be clear on this. Hate me if you will. I can take it.

My rating: 5 Stars. I know I keep saying that each is my favorite. But seriously. Best yet. There was much LESS swearing this time (yippee) and, while still dark in spots focused more on character relationships than dark magic.

Sum it up: An outstanding, entertaining, and frustratingly marvelous work of young adult fiction that emphasized the importance of teamwork, loyalty, friendship, and love.

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