"My Friend Nigel" by Jo Hodgkinson

While mom and dad are doing magic and tricks, their little boy is not interested in anything but saving Nigel the snail from being part of their potions. His determination to be best friends with Nigel confuses his parents who conjure up various animals they feel are more appropriate for him. However when their magic backfires, it's Nigel to the rescue teaching the parents that the magic of friendship is very special indeed. Kids loved the slime trail Nigel leaves behind him in the book.

"What's With This Room?" by Tom Lichtenheld

In paperback, with a different title, What Mess? this book was hysterical and kids loved it. The little boy is explaining to his parents that far from just having a messy room he is actually experimenting in it. The five layers of nasty laundry is an archaeological dig in creating, and the underwear on the ceiling fan is an investigation into the centrifugal force of odors. The green food mold in the corner is potential Halloween candy. But what happens when the volcano in the middle of the room goes boom? We learn that a clean room makes all the difference. The kids LOVED this one, we giggled all the way through and added a lot of Ewwwws for extra affect.

"When the Wind Blew" by Alison Jackson and Doris Barrette

This is a great story about the old lady in the shoe and her kids and what happens when a particularly strong wind starts blowing and they decide it's their job to make sure everything that gets blown about needs to be returned to its rightful place and owner. From broken boughs and flying babies to mittens for kittens in the tree, the important lesson is that family is the most important thing to have.

"My Adventure Island" by Timothy Knapman

This book tells a story about a little boy who's island is just the way he likes it. No baths, marshmellow pudding, animals of every shape and size and no one to tell him what to do. But the best part is that when he's in need of love and family, it's just a hop away from mom.

"Dixie Wants an Allergy" by Tori Corn and Nancy Cote

Dixie wants an allergy like everybody else seems to have but what kind should she have? The only way to decide is to try some on and see what happens. When she finally finds one, what does it mean and is it as great as she thought it would be? 

This was a hit and was a great way to talk about how different things in the world can make you feel not so great but there are ways of feeling better.

"Madeline and the Old House in Paris" by John Bemelmans Marciano

I personally loved this and if you like the original you'll want a copy but it kinda fell flat with the little ones, too dated.

"When Elephant Met Giraffe" by Paul Gude

Giraffe's not a talker, Elephant isn't sure why. What can these two possibly have in common. Lots.

"Superworm" by Julia Donaldson

Superworm is a hero and like many heroes he's always there when his friends need him. What happens when the Lizard Wizard gets his evil claws on Superworm? Who will save the day? We'll see what his friends have to say about that.

"Monster Chefs" by Brian Anderson

Eyeballs and ketchup are on the menu ..... AGAIN! Well, the king has had enough and sends his chefs out to find a new delicacy but the chefs find out that not all edible things want to be eaten. What to do, cause if they don't bring back something yummy THEY'RE gonna be dinner. Really cute twist at the end. Kids loved this one.

"Hellforged (Deadtown, #2)" by Nancy Holzner

I would recommend this for anyone who likes Celtic mythology, demons. zombies, and handsome werewolfs.

"Bestiary" by Robert Masello

Couldn't wait to finish reading this .... so I could get it as far away from me as possible. Over 400 pages that never knit together enough to make you give a flip; there are dinosaurs and mystic dead bones and an ancient manuscript. Yeah, that good.

"Dragon Keeper (Dragon Keeper, #1)" by Carole Wilkinson

This was a great story for little girls about confidence in making their own decisions, including mistakes. It was full of useful information regarding Chinese plants and culture. Most importantly of course was the great realization of the characters, especially Long Danzi, the dragon. Really enjoyed this and have passed it on all ready.

"Legend of the Jade Dragon (A Chintz n' China Mystery, #2)" by Yasmine Galenorn

Decent book, liked the fact that the author is really descriptive with her passages. It made it real easy to picture this story as it took place. Good blend of fiction and mystery.

"Wild Fell" by Michael Rowe

If you like ghost stories than your gonna want to read this one. Laced with the unsettling feeling that the tale is going to haunt you even after you've closed the covers, this story takes place up north in Canada where the wilderness is not limited to the fauna and flora and everything that happens is only the beginning. Take a good look in the mirror at yourself and decide, do you know what you see, or does it know you?

"The Collector of Dying Breaths (Reincarnationist, #6)" by M.J. Rose

This is a continuation of sorts from her previous title, The Book of Lost Fragrances. I have read a few of her books now and find that although I am reluctant to read them because of the chasm I feel between the characters charmed life and me,I still wind up completely wrapped up in the stories. They have a way of hitting the right button for me, revolving around reincarnation and past lives and our connections to each other. They are my guilty pleasures. If you are interested in fragrances, this is also a good series to read. Hey, they created a perfume from the one in the Lost Fragrances.

"Murder Under a Mystic Moon (A Chintz 'n China Mystery, #3)" by Yasmine Galenorn

Second time I've read one of this series and I liked it much better than the last. Stayed fast paced and had a good story line. Was a great brain candy pick.

"The World House (The World House, #1)" by Guy Adams

This was an interesting tale. It takes a while for the heart pounding to start but the development is laced with interesting ideas and the characters get to be like old friends. Only bad thing I could say about it would be that I didn't find out until the very last page that it's a continuing story. Sigh. Another series I have to add to my to read list.

"The Revenant of Thraxton Hall: The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" by Vaughn Entwisle

Although Sherlock does pop up now and then as one of the characters, don't expect this story to follow the Sherlockian formula. This story is not so simple. Oscar Wilde and Conan Doyle prepare us for this Gothic feeling mystery by taking us to Thraxton Hall in the English countryside where a murder has been announced, by the murder victim herself and one never argues with a lady. If this isn't enough gloom and doom, London itself is a perilous place to be for Doyle as he has just recently committed murder, and everyone is ready and willing to make sure he gets what he deserves. Read this and prepare yourself to become addicted to a new series that gives you the shivers, as politely as possible of course.

"One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, #2)" by Jeaniene Frost

Another really good book. I am officially a fan of this series, so much so that I recently glanced at the shelf in my local bookstore to see how many of these the author had published. Much to my joy/chagrin there are at least eight I spotted. Oh well, guess I'll have to read them all. Truly though, I love the fact that Cat, the heroine, can be absolutely ruthless when necessary; this makes her actions that much more forceful instead of just being someone who's doing good because it's expected. New vampires and the siring of a new ghoul in this one!

"At Grave's End (Night Huntress, #3)" by Jeaniene Frost

Things get messy in this one folks. I'm not talking about the ghouls or Vampires, or the daughter of a famous Egyptian queen or even the human snack bar. I'm of course referring to the ............ ZOMBIES! That's right, you can never have too much flesh eating happening in one place. That's not the highlight of this story but it's a whopper. These are not your shuffle along buffalo zombies but heat seeking flesh eaters who won't stop even when cut down. Mix that in with betrayal and treachery from within the ranks and all hell breaks lose. When Cat is faced with leading Bone's line can she find in herself to do so? Grab a plastic poncho and sit back and enjoy!

"Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1)" by Jeaniene Frost

Great start to really good series revolving around a human/vamp breed who is the only one of her kind; she's on the hunt for vampires to stake but when she becomes the hunted she discovers that not everything is as black and white as good and bad. Daddy issues, guilt, fear, and insecurities make this kitty dangerous. Her new mentor will make her lethal. Meet the Red Reaper. Little Riding Hood has finally grown up.

"The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3)" by Dan Brown

Enjoyed this but it definitely didn't live up to The Davinci Code. I almost felt like I was reading a teleplay; I could even picture how the scenes were going to be shot lol. Quite frankly, I do want to read Dante's Inferno. For me this has become brain candy.

"A Dance of Death (Shadowdance, #3)" by David Dalgish

Glad to continue reading about Haern's adventures, pissed off to find out my trilogy has sprouted another volume. Still, can't say I don't want to read more.

"Richard III: A Small Guide to the Great Debate" by Annette Carson

Good, even-handed beginner's guide to the beginning of the Tudor's and the end of the Cousin's War. Worth reading.

"She Walks in Darkness" by Evangeline Walton

This was definitely a dated piece of literature but it was strangely compelling. Walton describes the tribulations that face a young married woman in an isolated part of Tuscany when she falls into a gothic situation revolving around mythos, hidden treasure, and the various discrepancies of the human or lack of human condition. Was a little hard to read but wound up sticking in my mind. Walton is not as well known as she should be as one of the first women to write science fiction. Worth a look if your a fan of sci fi.

"The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gainman

I am a simple reader. I read a book and I either like it or not. When I give my opinion about a book it really relies on whether the story held my attention the way they did when I was little and I used to fall into the book and forget the world around me. That's the sign of a really great book; one that I race through because I can't get enough, lament that I've finished, and tuck away like a hoarding dragon for the next time that I can sink into that special world again. I'm happy to say that this is one of those books. Not because it's Gaiman but because the story is absolutely captivating. Let the literati explain to you why Gaiman's book works, I'll just say read it and pass it on.

"Queen Elizabeth's Daughter: A Novel of Elizabeth I" by Anne Clinard Barnhill

Well, I plodded my way through this book with the greatest resentment. If you are a newbie to Elizabethan literature of our times you can definitely dip your toes in the water with this one, that way when you read your next title things can only improve. I'm sorry but this book does not live up to the potential it promises. Not bad reading, just tedious. Having said that, there are some nice visuals planted throughout the story. Major pet peeve in this book, love interest goes by Sir John to John back to Sir John in the same paragraph, same page, and even in the middle of intimate scenes. ????? If the author isn't sure, what the hell am I reading?

"The Goblin Emperor" by Katherine Addison

This was a really good book, drove me crazy at times because of all these names for parts of the Kingdom that you have to kind of sound out in your head and everyone is addressed by titles and surnames but all in all it was worth the read. Maia who is the forgotten son left to rot in the lands of his father isn't meant to ever be in the palace let alone the emperor but when catastrophe hits he is placed upon the throne with the barest of knowledge of ruling anyone never mind a kingdom. But this young man who has lived his life at the mercy of one of his father's enemies is going to surprise them all, even himself. Read it!