Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto by Gianni Rodari

Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto

Gianni Rodari

Published: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Melville House

ISBN:1935554611

Description:

A modern fable for children and adults: a story of one man's quest for eternal life and how finds it in the most extraordinary of ways—in the grand tradition of Saint-Exúpery's The Little Prince.

When we first meet 93-year-old millionaire Baron Lamberto, he has been diagnosed with 24 life-threatening ailments—one for each of the 24 banks he owns! But when he takes the advice of an Egyptian mystic and hires servants to chant his name over and over again, he seems to not only get better, but younger.

Except then a terrorist group lays siege to his island villa, his team of bank managers has to be bussed in to help with the ransom negotiations, and a media spectacle breaks out . . .

A hilarious and strangely moving tale that seems ripped from the headlines—although actually written during the time the Red Brigades were terrorizing Italy—Gianni Rodari’s Lamberto, Lamberto, Lambertohas become one of Italy’s most beloved fables. Never before translated into English, it’s a reminder, as Rodari writes, that “there are things that only happen in fairytales.”

Review:

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Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto by Gianni Rodari is an Italian children’s fable first published in 1978. At the beginning of the book we are introduced to Lamberto, a 93 year old Millionaire with over 24 life threatening ailments, and his loyal butler Mr. Anselmo. I enjoyed the connection these two characters had. You could tell from reading that Lamberto is a bit eccentric and that Anselmo is more straight lace and in a sense keeps Lambertoon his toes. 

As we go further into our reading we learn that after meeting with an Egyptian mystic Lamberto hires servants to recite his name nonstop, as he was told this would cure his illnesses. At first this work seems to be in vain, but as the story progresses we see Lamberto actually recovering from his illnesses. And before long Lamberto is up and moving as if he were never ill. Everything seems to be going well for Lamberto until his greedy nephew arrives and seems to bring a slew of trouble to his ailing uncle. 

I have to admit I enjoyed reading this story. It was hilarious and at times you find yourself actually identifying with Mr. Lamberto. If only having our names recited nonstop could cure illnesses, I believe every human being would hire over a hundred workers to say their name. Even though I loved Lamberto, my favorite character in this book has to be Mr. Anselmo. I love that he is so loyal to Mr. Lamberto and that he has his best interest in mind. We should all be so lucky to find a friend like Mr. Anselmo. Overall, this book was a joy to read and if you ever have time to sit back and enjoy a good read, I would definitely recommend this book.

*The Book Blogging Beauties received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Melville House. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

The Wedding Gift by Kathleen McKenna

The Wedding Gift

Kathleen McKenna

Published: October 7, 2011

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

ISBN:1611940524

Description:

It is a spine-electrifying supernatural tale where a huge Southern States mansion contains one of the most terrifying, violent and indeed psychopathic ghosts to haunt any town. It is also a murder mystery - why did Robina Willets apparently kill all five of her young children, and her husband, before stabbing herself to death? And, if you are in the camp of believing that 'justice .... just is not', then this will have you frothing at the mouth with righteous social fury. Add to that the vision of two exceptionally beautiful girls lying on a landing stage in the middle of a secluded lake, sleeping naked in the sun .... .... and then see if you can find any consecutive ten minutes in this book when you don't at least snicker at the heroine Leeann's sly, caustic, sometimes-knowing sometimes 'too stupid to live' commentary.

Review:

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‘The Wedding Gift’ is set in the small town of Dalton, Oklahoma. It tells the story of 17 years old, Leanne, who is the ‘prettiest girl in town’ and she is darn proud of it! She begins dating George Willets Jr. of Willets Petroleum. The Willets family is the richest family in town and Leanne’s family the Worthier’s are, well let’s just said they are on the opposite side of the track as the Willets. This could be a really good thing considering the Willets are labeled as a ‘terrible family’.

So when George asks Leanne to marry him, to his mother’s horror, Leanne accepts, not because she loves him. No that was never the reason that she was with him to begin with if she’s honest about it. However she did always imagine herself marrying a rich man and becoming rich and important. George makes her that as well as giving her all the materialistic things she could want. Including his big wedding gift to her a mansion that belonged to his aunt and uncle.

Only the story behind that mansion isn’t so happily ever after. His Aunt Robina murdered all of her five children then her husband Roger and then herself. After that massacre everyone swore the house was haunted and no one have every lived in that house again. However who was Leanne to turn down a free mansion. So she gets over her initial fear and moves into the mansion. Then Robina’s ghost starts visiting Leanne, in a lot of different places and things become a lot more complicated.

                Ok so first let me begin by saying I loved the plot and background story of Robina and Roger. As well as all the secrets of the Willets family that begins to unravel as the story progresses.

With that said I had a few problems with the book. The language in this book was terrible. It took southern language to a new low. Part of my family is from the south and I can assure you none of them talk like that. I am sure some southerners would find it insulting even. It made the characters, especially Leanne sound about as smart as a box of rocks. I’m sorry to say this because I really liked the plot of this story and there is a lot of talent and good writing in this book just not in this portrayed southern dialogue. Even though I never considered Oklahoma southern, but then again I don’t know too much about Dalton, Oklahoma.

The other thing that bothered me was how very vain Leanne is and how very little regard she has for anyone else’s feeling or lives for that matter. In her eyes it’s always about her, and she loves hearing people call her by her title, ‘the prettiest girl in town’. She even marries a man she doesn’t love and gets mad when she is referred to as a ‘gold digger’! Well I would hate to be the one to inform her that she is! Hello, she doesn’t love George and is only with him for the things he can give her. If that’s not gold digging, I don’t know what is.

Overall Leanne’s character put a damper on the story for me. I did like the history and the ghost story aspect of it though. There was talent in the writing and I didn’t have to force myself through it. Overall I give it three stars and I would read another book by her to see what other stories she is capable of. She has peaked my interest.

*The Book Blogging Beauties received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Bell Bridge Books. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Redeeming Love

Francine Rivers

Published: May 9, 2005

Publisher: Multnomah Books

ISBN:1590525132

Description:

California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. 

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. 

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw. 

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go.

Review:

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I read Redeeming Love based on the recommendation of a friend. I have to say that it is not the type of book that I normally would pick up, but since I am broadening my horizons I gave it a try. I made a good decision.

 It centers around a young woman named Angel brought up in a horrible life of prostitution from a very young age. A man named Michael Hosea rescues her. Well, he thinks he is rescuing her but she wants nothing to do with him. The story follows the trials and tribulations that face a girl with a dark, shameful past and a God-fearing, Christian man.
The story is a Christian novel, which again is not something I have familiarity with reading, but the Christian themes are played in so well that it does not feel like you are sitting through a sermon. It simply made you realize the affect your faith can have on your life. The idea that everything can be dealt with if you trust in God is central throughout the story. Granted, there are some things in the story that are hard to believe. Such as a man's willingness to forgive as quickly as Michael does. But it is portrayed to be testimony of his faith in God.
Francine Rivers did a wonderful job of making you fall in love with her characters even though you knew of all of their misgivings. Most people cannot relate to a prostitute but people can relate to wishing you had not done something in your past. Everyone has something they regret and there are times that that regret makes you feel unworthy of something or someone. That is Angel in a nutshell.

*The Book Blogging Beauties did not receive a copy All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs *Slight Spoilers

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

Published: June 7, 2011

Publisher: Quirk Books

ISBN:1594744769

Description:

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows

Review:

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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs centers around a teenage boy trying to find out the truth behind his Grandpa’s ‘fairy tale’ past. Jacob Portman quickly discovers that what once seemed like fairy tales are stories quite darker than he ever imagined. His journey halfway across the world introduces him to new people, new worlds, and new terrors.                

            Ransom Riggs did something unique when writing this novel--he included visual aids. The photographs allow the reader to really see what the author had in mind when writing the story of Jacob Portman. Although the photographs can be a bit disturbing, I appreciate the fact that I know exactly what to picture when the author says, “…a pair of freakish twins who were dressed in the weirdest costumes I’d ever seen” (p. 45).

           

            As far as the actual story, I followed the plot line fairly easily. The flow of the story was a bit jumpy, but I did not think I was missing parts. Riggs is very descriptive with his characters, locations, and emotions. This is essential to really feeling like you are a part of the story and not just an outsider looking in. The fact that World War II played a significant part of the novel just added to the positives for this novel for me—I like studying history, especially WWII. Some parts of the novel were a little expected such as the romance between Jacob and Emma, but having said that, I did not mind that what I expected came to fruition. That’s saying something! One thing I did not expect was that this would turn in to a series, which will obviously happen considering the cliffhanger ending. The idea of the story on the whole is pretty unique though. Riggs made himself stand apart by not writing a novel about love stories with vampires like so many other books out there—but don’t get me wrong I love those stories just as much as the next Twi-hard! It was refreshing! And I expect that Riggs’ writing will just get better.

 I look forward to reading the next novel to see what happens to Jacob and his peculiar friends. And when that novel does come out, you can bet I will have the review shortly after so be sure to check it out!

*The Book Blogging Beauties  did not receive a review copy of this book. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen

Chomp

Carl Hiaasen

Release Date: March 27, 2012

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 0375868429

Description:

Wahoo Cray lives in a zoo. His father is an animal wrangler, so he's grown up with all manner of gators, snakes, parrots, rats, monkeys, snappers, and more in his backyard. The critters he can handle.  His father is the unpredictable one.

 When his dad takes a job with a reality TV show called "Expedition Survival!", Wahoo figures he'll have to do a bit of wrangling himself—to keep his dad from killing Derek Badger, the show's boneheaded star, before the shoot is over. But the job keeps getting more complicated. Derek Badger seems to actually believe his PR and insists on using wild animals for his stunts. And Wahoo's acquired a shadow named Tuna—a girl who's sporting a shiner courtesy of her old man and needs a place to hide out.
 They've only been on location in the Everglades for a day before Derek gets bitten by a bat and goes missing in a storm. Search parties head out and promptly get lost themselves. And then Tuna's dad shows up with a gun . . .

It's anyone's guess who will actually survive "Expedition Survival". . . 

Review:

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Roger says: It was a decent book but some things were out of order. Wahoo's dad gets a job to train animals to act like wild animals for a TV show and them he gets a job to actually go catch wild animals for the show. They go to Wal-mart to buy supplies and they found a girl from Wahoo's school living in the parking lot. 

Mom says: Written like a typical Hiaasen book. The cover is colorful and grabs kids attention. The story has enough going on to keep the kids reading but not to much as to overwhelm the reader. The mom in this story is overseas for work during this time leaving Wahoo with his dad. In need of a job he accepts one with a reality show. The shows star Derek Badger is full of himself and thinks he can do more than he really can. 

This is one to get when it is released March 27, 2012

*The Book Blogging Beauties  received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Knopf Books for Young Readers. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.